Difference between revisions of "Qing dynasty"
Leatherman (Talk | contribs) |
Leatherman (Talk | contribs) |
||
| Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
=== Origins of the Qing === | === Origins of the Qing === | ||
| − | The Qing dynasty had its origins in the area north of the [[Great Wall]] in what is now NE China, known in the west as [[Manchuria]]. A local semi-[[nomadic]] [[Jurchen]] tribal leader, | + | The Qing dynasty had its origins in the area north of the [[Great Wall]] in what is now NE China, known in the west as [[Manchuria]]. A local semi-[[nomadic]] [[Jurchen]] tribal leader,Nurhachi (1559-1626), amalgameted a number of tribes and reorganised them along state lines, with an army divided into Banners; in 1625 he established a capital at [[Shenyang}} ([[Mukden]]). In 1635 Nurhachi's successor Abahai (1592-1643) decreed that the nation be known by the name Manchu, and in 1636 named his dynasty Qing and proclaimed himself emperor. As Manchu power grew north of the Wall, to its south the Ming government was in terminal decline. The Chinese empire was ravaged by revolt, and in 1644 one rebel leader, Li Zicheng, occupied Beijing and declared himself emperor. The last Ming emperor, Chongzhen, hanged himself on Coal Hill, overlooking the [[Forbidden City]]. Horrified by the rebel success, the Ming commander of the garrison at the strategic pass of Shanhaiguan - where the Great Wall meets the Bohai gulf - allowed Qing forces to pass through the Wall, and they quickly occupied Beijing, establishing the new dynasty as rulers of China. Resistance to the Qing persisted in southern China (under the so-called Southern Ming) for another decade and a half, and all resistance was not stifled until 1681. |
| + | == High Qing == | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Qing reached its zenith of power, prestige and cultural achievement under the emperors [[Kangxi]] (reigned 1662-1722), Yongzheng (r. 1722-36) and [[Qianlong]] (r. 1736-99). | ||
[[Category:Chinese History]] | [[Category:Chinese History]] | ||
Revision as of 11:26, April 28, 2007
The Qing (Ch'ing in Wade-Giles transliteration) dynasty, sometimes known as the Manchu dynasty, was the last dynastic house to rule Imperial China. The Qing dynasty succeeded the Ming in 1644, and was itself replaced by the Republic of China in 1912.
Origins of the Qing
The Qing dynasty had its origins in the area north of the Great Wall in what is now NE China, known in the west as Manchuria. A local semi-nomadic Jurchen tribal leader,Nurhachi (1559-1626), amalgameted a number of tribes and reorganised them along state lines, with an army divided into Banners; in 1625 he established a capital at [[Shenyang}} (Mukden). In 1635 Nurhachi's successor Abahai (1592-1643) decreed that the nation be known by the name Manchu, and in 1636 named his dynasty Qing and proclaimed himself emperor. As Manchu power grew north of the Wall, to its south the Ming government was in terminal decline. The Chinese empire was ravaged by revolt, and in 1644 one rebel leader, Li Zicheng, occupied Beijing and declared himself emperor. The last Ming emperor, Chongzhen, hanged himself on Coal Hill, overlooking the Forbidden City. Horrified by the rebel success, the Ming commander of the garrison at the strategic pass of Shanhaiguan - where the Great Wall meets the Bohai gulf - allowed Qing forces to pass through the Wall, and they quickly occupied Beijing, establishing the new dynasty as rulers of China. Resistance to the Qing persisted in southern China (under the so-called Southern Ming) for another decade and a half, and all resistance was not stifled until 1681.
High Qing
The Qing reached its zenith of power, prestige and cultural achievement under the emperors Kangxi (reigned 1662-1722), Yongzheng (r. 1722-36) and Qianlong (r. 1736-99).
