Final answer:
The purpose of the Great Wall of China, as originally constructed by the Qin Dynasty, was to defend against northern nomadic and tribal civilizations. It provided a defensive barrier along the northern borders of China and became a significant aspect of statecraft in ancient China.
Step-by-step explanation:
The purpose of the Great Wall of China, as originally constructed by the Qin Dynasty, was to provide defense against northern nomadic and tribal civilizations, such as the Hu and Yuezhi, which were seen as formidable threats to the empire. The Qin Dynasty connected a series of defensive structures built earlier by states in northern China, using hundreds of thousands of laborers, convicts, and farmers. Once completed, the Great Wall of the Qin Dynasty defended the northern borders of China and became the focal point of statecraft in ancient China.