Qing Dynasty Emperors

The Qing Dynasty was the longest-running empire ruled by the Manchus of Manchuria. It had the most abundant overseas contact yet was often resisted.

The country glories over the Qing Golden Age’s prosperity. However, they were greatly ashamed of the forced trade and unbalanced treaties that happened later in the period.

The Manchus in China

The Qing Dynasty was built by the Manchus in 1636 to designate their government in Manchuria. In the year 1644, China’s capital, Beijing, was taken by the rebel leader Li Zhicheng. Desperate to get their capital back, officials of the Ming Dynasty sought aid from the Manchus.

The Manchus took advantage of the situation to seize control over the capital. From there, they eventually established their own capital in the country. They were able to pacify the country’s population by adopting the Ming’s form of government while employing Ming officials.

The first ruler of the Qing Dynasty was a five-year-old boy who ascended the throne as Emperor Shunzhi. While he ruled, the Manchus conquered and expanded their rule over China. In 1683, the entire country was under the Qing Empire under the rule of Emperor Kangxi.

During this period, the Manchu kept order in the empire by displaying harsh discipline. When someone was accused or suspected of treason, they would be executed immediately.

Under the empire, the country remained isolated from the world. China traded a few goods like silver and tea, yet they had barely anything to do with foreign countries.

Opium Wars

In 1800, the British started selling opium in the country, leading to the addiction of a lot of Chinese. Due to this, the government made opium an illegal drug, but despite them banning it, the British continued smuggling opium.

The act angered the Qing Empire, which led their officials to board the British ships. All the opium that they acquired were dumped into the ocean, which instigated a war between the British and Chinese.

During that time, China only had a small navy that was outdated compared to that of the British. Hence, they were defeated during the First and Second Opium Wars.

By the end of the battle in 1860, Britain took over Hong Kong. Then, Christianity became legal, and China opened its doors to British merchants.

Nurhaci

1616-1626 A.D

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Nurhaci was the chieftain of the Chien Chou Juchen, who belonged to the Aisin Gioro clan. It was a Manchurian tribe known as the founding father of China’s Manchu state. Eventually, it became known as the Qing Dynasty.

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Hong Taiji

1626-1643 A.D

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Hong Taiji or Huang Taiji was the very first ruler of China’s Qing Dynasty. He was the person who built and developed the empire that his father, Nurhaci, founded.

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Shunzhi Emperor

1643–1661 A.D

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Fu Lin was called the Shunzhi Emperor and was the second ruler of the Qing Dynasty. He was also the very first emperor to rule over the country proper from 1644 to 1661.

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Kangxi Emperor

1661–1722 A.D

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Xuanye was the 3rd emperor of the Qing Dynasty and is better known as the Kangxi Emperor. He was also considered the second leader of the Qing who came to rule China.

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Yongzheng Emperor

1722–1735 A.D

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Yinzhen, known and respected as the Yongzheng Emperor was the fourth Qing Dynasty emperor. Among the emperors of Qing, he was the third to rule over China proper. His reign lasted from 1722 until 1735.

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 Qianlong Emperor

1735-1796 A.D

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Hongli, known as the Qianlong Emperor, was Qing Dynasty’s fifth emperor and the fourth to lead China proper. His rule lasted from 1735 until 1796.

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Jiaqing Emperor

1796–1820 A.D

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Yong Yan was known and respected as the Jiaqing Emperor. Or, he was also referred to as Emperor Renzong of Qing.

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Daoguang Emperor

1820–1850 A.D

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The Daoguang Emperor was the 7th ruler of the Qing Dynasty. He was the 6th Qing Emperor who ruled over the entire country proper. His rulership was marked by the outside disaster and inner rebellion. Specifically, the First Opium War and the Taiping Rebellion started, which almost brought down the Qing Dynasty.

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Xianfeng Emperor

1850–1861 A.D

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Yizhu, or the Xianfeng Emperor, was the 8th Qing Dynasty emperor and 7th to lead over Central China. He ruled from 1850 to 1861.

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Tongzhi Emperor

1861–1875 A.D

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Zaichun, known as the Tongzhi Emperor, was from the Aisin Gioro clan. He was the ninth Qing emperor to rule over central China. His reign lasted for 14 years, from 1861 to 1875. Since his reign lasted through his adolescence, it was mostly overshadowed by the rule of his mother, Empress Dowager Cixi.

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Guangxu Emperor

1875-1908 A.D

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Zai Tian was respected and known as the Guangxu Emperor. He was referred to as the Emperor Dezong of Qing too. Plus, he was the ultimate ruler in the Qing Dynasty and China’s history.

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Xuantong Emperor

1908–1912 A.D

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Puyi, or the Xuantong Emperor, was the final emperor of China. He was the 11th and final Qing Dynasty leader as well.

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