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Ming Great Wall

Type Object Region Northern China Time c. 1368–1644

The Ming dynasty built, repaired, and garrisoned a Great Wall defense system along its northern frontier from the Yalu River to Jiayu Pass, forming a…

Timeline

  1. 1611–1618Liaodong Great Wall and Guanning defense line · LiaodongThe Ming court maintained a system of walls, passes, and beacon towers in Liaodong, coordinated with the garrisons of Guangning, Liaoyang, and Shenyang, attempting to check the Later Jin's southward advance; between 1611 and 1618 the Later Jin raided repeatedly, sections of the border wall were damaged and repaired, and defense expenditures were enormous.
  2. 1619–1620Sarhu to Shenyang line · LiaodongIn 1619 the Ming main force was routed at the Battle of Sarhu; the Later Jin seized key positions such as Fushun and Tieling, dealing a fatal blow to the Liaodong Great Wall defense system; around 1620 Ming forces were forced to withdraw, and the Guanning–Jizhen line became the new strategic focus.
  3. 1620–1644Shanhai Pass–Ningyuan · GuanningAfter most of the inner Liaodong wall lost strategic value, the Ming court concentrated resources on the Shanhai Pass–Ningyuan line, rebuilding defenses around strong cities and red-barbarian cannons, which became the last barrier against the Later Jin's entry through the passes until Wu Sangui's defection to the Qing in 1644.

Sources