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The rise of the Qing Dynasty
The Manchu warriors established the Qing Dynasty -
Kangxi becomes Emperor
The first emperor dies in 1661, his son Kangxi takes over at age 7. He reigns for 61 years, encouraging the arts. He toured his empire regularly to make sure things were running smoothly. Both Kangxi and Qianlong were emperors that suported the arts. Both emperors helped expand the Qing Dynasty. Kangxi conquered Taiwan, Mongolia, Central Asia and Tibet. -
The Flaws in the Chinese Bureaucracy
Around the 18th century, like all other Dynasties, the Qing Dynasty started to decline. One of the reasons for the decline was that the Chinese Bureaucracy was being influenced by cheating and favouritism. Students began trying to bribe exam officials which led to dishonesty in the Chinese Bureaucracy. -
Yongzheng rules
When Kangxi dies in 1722, his son Yongzheng takes the throne. He encourages learning and even has a 10,000 chapter encyclopedia printed. -
Banning Christianity
The Qing Dynasty did not tolerate the influences of Christian missionaries. The Qing felt as though their culture was threatened. In the year 1724, the Qing Dynasty banned the practice of Christianity. -
Qianlong improves the empire
Yongzheng's son, Qianlong, starts to reign in 1736. He brings the emprie to its highest, increasing wealth and foreign trade. Rice production also increases during his time. His reign starts to weaken in his later years as he was influenced by flattery by corrupt officials. -
Trade Problems
China wanted their silks, tea and ceramics to be paid for in silver, not in foreign goods. This works for some time until France and England are concerned about their supplies of silver. They come up with trading schemes, such as getting the Chinese addicted to Opium. -
Opium War
The government doesnt do anything about the opium problem until 1839 when a commissioner is sent into Canton. He burns some 20,000 chests of opium and bans all British trade. The British declare war. The Qing cannot win against the British battleships and their newer guns. The Qing surrenders in 1842. -
Treaties and war
The Treaty of Danking ends the Opium War. The Qing have to set up more trading ports and they give up Hong Kong. But when the British want to add more things to the treaty, the Qing refuses and the Second Opium war is fought. China loses again. -
Taiping rebellion
with increased problems on the land, rebellions arise. the Taiping rebellion starts in 1850, when Hong Xiuquan and his followers want to change many Chinese traditions. The rebellion ends when British and French troops aid the Qing. -
Empress Dowager Cixi rules
When emperor Xianfeng dies in 1961, the Empress Dowager Cixi influences the new emperors, making it more her rule than theirs. In 1884 she fired the whole Grand council and in 1898 she crushed attempts for reforms. -
War with Japan
Japan and China both want to control Korea. After some conflict they start fighting. The Japanese, who had been learning modern fighting techniques for the past 30 year, won easily. The Qing realise they need to make some improvements in how they defend themselves. -
The Boxer Rebellion
A group of rebels form the Society of Harmonious Fists. They are not happy with the amount of foreigners running around China. They are known as 'The Boxers' and try to kick out the foreigners. Foreign missions are burned and Chinese Christians are killed. -
European power prevails.
The Boxer Rebellion causes the leaders in Europe to send troops in to help their interests. Empress Dowager Cixi supports the movements and flees in Xian. -
Away with the old
Sun Yat-sen wants to unify China with a democratic, representative government. he has tried to organise a secret revolutionary group before, but to no avail. In 1911 the government is overthrown and Sun s elected provisional president of the new republic of China. -
The last Emperor
Sun Yat-sen steps down to allow Yuan Shikai, a former general to become president. After much negotitation the last emperor, Puyi, is made to abdicate in 1912. He is six years old.