Who was Zeng Guofan?

Zheng Guofan (November 26, 1811 – March 12, 1872) lived as an intellectual, military commander, and statesman. He fought and defeated the largest and most brutal rebellion in history. While as a statesman, he dedicated his life to his country’s revival and hoped for a better China, one capable of defending itself from imperialism.

Self-Strengthening Movement and Qing Industrialization - Part 2

Heraclitus said “There is nothing permanent except change” and it applies to life at the smallest and to society at the largest. When faced with challenges and difficulties, a change in ways seemed the correct path, but the question that follows: how to change or what to change? This question represented the Self-Strengthening Movement and its quest for the industrialization of China under the Qing Dynasty.

Self-Strengthening Movement and Qing Industrialization - Part 1

Heraclitus said “There is nothing permanent except change” and it applies to life at the smallest and to society at the largest. When faced with challenges and difficulties, a change in ways seemed the correct path, but the question that follows: how to change or what to change? This question represented the Self-Strengthening Movement and its quest for the industrialization of China under the Qing Dynasty.

Who was the Empress Dowager Cixi? - Part 2

With another 5-year old Emperor in the throne, Cixi once again played the role of regent. With the 1st regency running from 1875 – 1879, while the 2nd regency saw its course from 1898 – 1908. Her regency during the reign of the Guangxu Emperor earned her the notoriety her name became synonymous with.

Who was the Empress Dowager Cixi? - Part 1

Documentaries, books, and articles have depicted the Empress Dowager Cixi as the malignant force filled with vanity and naivety that held China back from reforming. A powerful concubine who rose up as the most powerful figure in China, so much so she appointed 2 of China’s Emperor.

What are the causes of the Xinhai Revolution of 1911?

1911 marked the end of the Ancien Regime for China. The Xinhai Revolution of 1911 put an end in to the institution that steered the country for more than a millennium. Though ideas of emperors remained alive, it had no hopes of restoration. However, what caused the Xinhai Revolution?

Who was Liang Qichao?

Ideas, like seeds, when sowed to the ground, it will take root then grow into trees. Liang Qichao’s ideas on reforming China became the seeds from which the root Mao Zedong appeared and finally grew to the tree in form of the People’s Republic of China.

Death of an Empire - 1911 Chinese Revolution

Despite Wuhan having today a terrible image as ground zero for COVID-19, it had earned a place in Chinese history as the center of a Revolution that marked the end of an era and a dawn of another.

Who was Yuan Shikai? - Part 2

While the Qing Dynasty suffered its decline, Yuan’s fate saw the opposite. He rose up to become of the most influential officials and court. However, with this rise, he collected enemies who strike against him in the most opportune time. From then on he faced a roller coaster ride of ups and downs that would lead him to one of the most prominent figures in a time of great turbulence in Chinese history.

Who was Yuan Shikai? - Part 1

Yuan Shikai marked his name in Chinese history for all its best and faults. From a failed civil service exam taker, he rose to be one of the greatest generals in modern Chinese history and won the Presidency of the Republic of China. As he headed a nation facing transition and turmoil, he resorted to strength and pomp that garnered criticism and disgust. Nevertheless, his name became intertwined to the story of the death of an empire and the birth of a Republic, revealing its fragility and weakness.

The Nian Rebellion: In the Shadows of Taiping

Senggelinqin

Rebellion, war, and incursion, these what describe China during the tumultuous latter half of the 19th century. The Manchu led Qing Dynasty was in its final chapters. It faced the strong and powerful imperialistic agendas of the West. Its Empire was being carved into several sphere of influences among the Europeans. Domestic affairs was as bleak as its foreign relations. Rebellions of discontent erupted in various regions of Imperial China. The largest was the Taiping Rebellion. Simultaneously, other minor rebellions gave headaches to the Forbidden City. Among these obscure rebellion was the Nian Rebellion.

The Golden Age of Manchu Dynasty - Emperor Kangxi

Emperor Kangxi

There only few foreign dynasty that led China, one of the most longest and most well-known was the last dynasty of Empire – the Manchu led Qing Dynasty. In the 16th century, the Manchus were still consolidating their hold of the Chinese Empire. The Manchu Emperors were wise enough to know that to control China, they must not just rule it militarily but also culturally. He Manchus must show and make themselves Chinese. One of the most famous Manchu Emperors that would consolidate China militarily and launch a new golden age of Chinese culture was Emperor Kangxi.

Hundred Days Reform: Other Reforms

Emperor Guangxu

On June of 1898, Emperor Guangxu made an announcement that shook the foundations of the old Middle Kingdom. The Emperor issued decrees that aimed to modernized and bring progress to China after series of defeat and humiliation. Reforms were made to the education system, civil service examination, and administration. Other than that, there were also reforms for the military and the economy. Much of this radical changes were to the dismay of Emperor Guangxu’s old fashioned and traditionalist courtiers.

Hundred Days Reform: Administration

Forbidden City (the center of the Empire)
 depicted in a Ming Painting

When Emperor Guangxu began the Hundred Days’ Reform, he wanted to improve the public administration of China. Much of his reforms were encouraged by Kang Youwei. The Emperor wanted to remove unnecessary offices to make the government more efficient and less costly.  Besides removing useless departments, the Emperor also sought to reform the government by creating new offices and appointing new officials. The reforms, however, faced formidable enemies which would succeed in halting the changes.

Hundred Days Reform: Education

Emperor Guangxu at his study

Beijing, 1898 – Chinese Emperor Guangxu had just took direct control of his Empire for a decade. During that time, China was in a dire situation. Its territories were carved by Western imperialist into several spheres of influence. Emperor Guangxu wanted to reverse the dismal conditions of China. Inspired by the Meiji Restoration and stories of same situation from abroad, like Peter the Great, in June 11, 1898 Guangxu decreed several orders instituting wide ranging and radical reforms. The Hundred Days Reform began. Including to the focus of reforms.

A Fight for Change: The Hundred Days Reform

Guangxu Emperor

China during the 19th century was a relic of its former glory. Once the envy of the world, the Chinese Empire, under the Machu Qing Dynasty, had fallen into corruption, decadence, and hardline conservatism. Twice, China was beaten by the combine forces of the British and the French and forced to sign many unequal treaties. These treaties forced China to give several concessions and humiliating surrender of sovereignty and territories. During the last parts of this century, reforms meant to reform and modernize the whole Empire. The reforms were opposed not by the so-called foreign devils, but by those who were from the inside of the imperial court. For a hundred days, the fight was on for the future of imperial China.

The Last Great Manchu Emperor

Emperor Qianlong

China, the 17th to the 18th century - under the Manchu or Qing Dynasty, the Empire saw new fats of prosperity. Culture flourished under several emperors. Expansion of territory or influence continued. The Chinese economy was the envy of the world as many countries sought to trade with the Empire. During the 1700's one emperor became the focus of such heights. A cultured man, he was Emperor Qianlong.