Which dynasty addressed northern threats by fortifying the Great Wall and deploying frontier garrisons?

• A. Song
• B. Yuan
• C. Han
• D. Ming

Answer: (D)

Defending the northern frontier with strong barriers and stationed troops is a strategy built around combined fortifications and border defense. After driving out the previous rulers, the Ming faced renewed pressure from northern nomadic powers and chose to harden the wall as a primary line of defense. They rebuilt and extended sections of the Great Wall, added new watchtowers, and created a dense network of frontier garrisons along the wall to guard passes, monitor incursions, and respond quickly to threats. This approach—relying on a formidable wall plus organized border troops—became a defining feature of Ming defense on the northern front. While earlier dynasties confronted northern threats too, the scale and emphasis of fortifying the Great Wall and deploying frontier garrisons are especially associated with the Ming.