Is the Great Wall of China Really Useful? Perspective from an American Historian: The Great Wall Brought Disaster to Europe

Is the Great Wall of China useful or not?

Some argue that the Great Wall was effective because it blocked the nomadic tribes of northern China from crossing the vast steppes.

Others contend that the Great Wall was futile, merely a costly project used by emperors to glorify their reigns.

Over the centuries, nomadic tribes have breached the Wall numerous times, casting doubt on its effectiveness.

So, was the Great Wall useful or not? American anthropologist Thomas Baffield, in his book “Dangerous Frontiers: Nomadic Empires and Central Plains Dynasties,” points out that the Great Wall forced the northern nomadic tribes to move westward, ultimately bringing disaster to Europe.

1. Why Build the Great Wall

The 400mm precipitation line serves as a geographic boundary for human civilization.

For thousands of years before the modern era, the 400mm precipitation line marked the boundary between nomadic and agrarian civilizations.

Before discussing the role of the Great Wall, it’s crucial to understand the fundamental differences between these two…