The Qing Dynasty: The Twilight of the Chinese Empire

The emperors of the Qing dynasty were the last monarchs in China’s history. During their reign, the Celestial Empire reached the peak of its power, which affected not only the future of the country but also the fate of the ruling imperial house itself. Yet the stronger the state became, the weaker the position of the ruling dynasty grew, whose interests were increasingly oriented toward European powers. Higher taxes, widespread corruption, natural catastrophes that led to years of poor harvests, abuse of power by the ruling elites, and a massive Western expansion—all of this brought about popular unrest. In 1911, a revolution began, marking the end of the monarchy and the creation of a Republic that lasted until 1949. Which Qing emperor ascended the throne at the age of five? What do the Qing dynasty and the Forbidden City have in common? Who forged the father’s will to take the throne? When did the literary inquisition appear in China? What led to the creation of the “White Lotus”? Why did the Opium Wars last for several decades? How did the Xinhai Revolution begin, and what were its results? The Qing—China’s last and most controversial dynasty—experienced both rises and falls that became a driving force behind the structure of modern China.