Li Zicheng
A Chinese rebel who had raided Northwest China, including Sichuan and the Yangzi Valley, at the end of the Ming Empire. Worked with literate advisers to set up dynastic government framework and capture Beijing in 1644. Failed to maintain a dynastic-style
Wu Sangui
A Ming military general who worked with the Manchus to help the Manchus seize Beijing in 1644. He was hated as a betrayer of the Ming. He took control over a large satrap in South and Southwest China, but rebelled in 1673 to take control of the southern p
The Kangxi Emperor
A Qing emperor who reigned from 1662 to 1722 known for consolidating Qing rule, economic and military prosperity, and expanded Chinese borders. He froze the land tax, which cause problems in later dynasties. Produced the Kangxi Dictionary, which demonstra
The Qianglong Emperor
A Qing emperor who reigned from 1736 to 1796 and provided a strong executive leadership. He is known for fearing conspiracy, but having a corrupt empire in his old age and trusting his rule to the corrupt minister Heshen, who was later tried for corruptio
The Sacred Edict (shengyu)
16 maxims for the guidance of daily conduct based on Confucian theology issued by the Kangxi Emperor in 1670 to be used in the village lecture system. Each maxim was seven characters long after the original was too difficult for regular audiences to compr
Secret Palace Memorials
An improved communication system between government officials and the state, which was implemented by the Kangxi Emperor. The system allowed for the emperor to communicate directly with officials without mediation by the court or transmission officials in
Heshen
The favorite minister of the Qianlong Emperor who was tried for corruption and other crimes by that emperor's successor in 1799. He was given privileges and placed in charge of many institutions, which he used to create networks of corruption that no one
Litigation Masters/Tricksters
These were individuals who tried to get people to go to court, but Chinese traditional thought said that only bad people went to court. Illegal people who try to make the trial paper look more favorable towards their hiree.
Jesuits
Learned men who come from Europe to share their religion with the Chinese during the Ming to Qing Dynasty. Given charge of the office of astronomy that fixed the official calendar and used cartography, European clockwork, and mnemonics to attract the atte
British East India Company
Granted rights by the British in 1600 to set up a trading monopoly in Asia and open up the trade. The Chinese government wanted a tributary system like with other barbarians. The British developed a staple trade with China in exports of tea, silk, and por
The Flint Episode
An event in 1760 where the British East India Company sent a man to complain about the corruption and restriction in Chinese trade, but broke the law to get to the Qianglong emperor and was arrested. Following this incident, Qianglong ended contact with t
The Canton System
An attempt by the Chinese to fit the Western merchants into the tributary system by restricting trade to Canton with the ability to only speak to certain merchants (Cohongs) and could only trade during certain times of the year. Annoyed the Europeans beca
The Macartney Mission
A diplomatic mission to China sent by the British East India Company in 1793 to hopefully improve relations and modernize China, but failed. This mission was led by Lord George Macartney took scientists and artists in an entourage of 100 on a 66-gun-man-o
Lin Zexu
An incorrupt Imperial Commissioner sent by the Daoguang Emperor in 1839 to compel the foreign traders to stop bringing opium to China. He suppressed the Chinese opium purveyors in Guangzhou by barricading the foreigners in their factories before they fina
Treaty of Nanjing
A treaty signed in August 1942 between the British and the Chinese after the British won the Opium War against the Qing. The treaty provisions included extaterritoriality, indemnity, moderate tariff and direct foreign contact with the customs collectors,
Extra-territoriality
Foreign consular jurisdiction over foreign nationals - makes foreigners and their activities in China answerable only to foreign and not to Chinese law. This went along with the Chinese imperial preference for minimalist government.
The Three Follows
This is a reaction against women's growing independence from father, husband, and son. Largely accepted by women because it is seen as proper Neo-Confucianism.
Triads/Tian di hui
A secret society consisting of urban poor and peasants that operated among smugglers along transport routes. Often attracted local gentry who wanted to increase their influence in their area.
Hong Xiuquan
The founder of the Taiping movement who preached a faith that was his own version of Old Testament Protestant Christianity and Heavenly Kingdom of Great Peace, which ruled at Nanjing from 1853 to 1864. Failed the Guangzhou exam four times and then became
Yang Xiuqing
He was the organizer and commander in chief of the Taiping Rebellion. He joined the Taiping band. Made commander in chief of the armed forces under Hong Xiuquan. Organized a system to spy on the Taiping followers. Helped the Taipings to advance northward
Heavenly Kingdom of Great Peace (Taiping Tianguo)
A religion used by Hong Xiuquan, which said to bring Heaven to Earth and remove the demonic Manchus. Believed in universal equality of women. Showed the weakening belief in Confucianism.
Nian Rebellion
A rebel movement between the Huai and Yellow rivers, which showed the power of banditry and growing unrest with the Qing Dynasty. The rebels organized cavalry forces in their own banner system for raiding abroad and controlled their territorial base by ta
Zeng Guofan
The new commander against the Taipings following the coup d'etat in Beijing in 1861. A Chinese Confucian scholar from Hunan determined to defeat the Taiping's attack on the Confucian order through moral revival and built an army for defense. Developed an
Tongzhi Restoration
A response to the Taiping Rebellion led by Ci Xi from 1862 to 1875, which tried to implement a series of reforms to strengthen China by reinforcing Confucian values in an effort to strengthen the central government. Placed a focus on virtue and tradition
Self-Strengthening Movement
A period in Chinese history ranging from 1860 to 1900 where the Chinese believed that the adoption of Western technologies would help China to become modern. The practice of adopting only some technologies, like arms and machines, quickly led to the adopt
Ti-Yong Formula
A term which means "Chinese learning as the fundamental structure, Western learning for practical use." This term is connected to the self-strengthening movement (1860-1900) in China because it reflects the idea that Western arms, steamships, science, and
Empress Dowager Ci Xi
The regent who controlled policy because the Guangxu emperor was too young when he first came to power. Firmly against modernization reforms, which led to her support of the ideological conservatives as a way to stalmate the innovators. Staged a coup d'et
Treaty of Shimonoseki
The treaty that ended the Sino-Japanese War in 1895. This treaty gave Korea to Japan and gave money to Japan, as well as giving them most favored nation status. This treaty showed China's lack of power against foreign intrusion.
Spheres of Influence
Foreign powers had control over certain areas of land, including different regions of Shanghai. These foreign powers leased land to the Chinese, but practiced extraterritoriality, which showed the foreign control seeping into China's everyday life.
Liang Qichao
A Cantonese student of Kang Youwei who accepted the Social Darwinism of the 1890s. An ardent nationalist who hoped the Qing monarchy could lead China to salvation, while still supporting radical reforms. Promoted the notion of each individual unselfishly
100 Days Reform 1898
Emperor Guangzu issued about 40 reform decrees between June 11th and September 21st in an attempt to modernize the Chinese state, administration, education, laws, economy, technology, military, and police systems. Remain largely on paper, while officials
Boxer Uprising
Starts with the combining of martial arts and the practice of spirit possession in Northwest Shandong by the Shadow Boxers. This group, entitled Boxers United in Righteousness, had the goal of supporting the Qing and destroying the foreigners because they
Railway Rights Recovery Movement
A movement started with the Changsha rice riots, which broke out due to famine. The different foreign powers owned the railways within their spheres of influence, but they only transported the particular foreign powers desired products. The urban elites d
New Policy Reforms
A Qing reform system that was proposed in 1901 to follow the Japanese example - self-government to mobilize the people and police systems to control the people. Set up a hierarchy of modern schools in the counties, prefectures, and provinces with a Japane
The Yongzheng Emperor
Second Emperor of Qing Dynasty. Worked himself to death. Strictly disciplined the bureaucrats. Got rid of Corruption. Established the Grand Council as a channel of information to stop corruption. Instituted nourishing virtue stipend to help with taxes.
Li Hongzhang
Helped with subduing of Taiping Rebellion using local militia. Governor General of Zhili. Major force behind chinese modernization. Led the Beiyang Fleet in Sino- Japanese war. Largest in Asia.
Nourising Virtue Stipend
Instituted by YongZheng Emperor. extra revenue from taxes that would go to the county and would prevent magistrates from implementing surcharges. This was efficient but after he died, the stipend stayed the same while administration and population increas
Boxer Protocol
Signed in September 1901. Ended the boxer uprising. Allowed foreign power to base troops in basing. Gave foreign more power.