China has a long history comprised of several dynasties throughout time. Scattered throughout Chinese rule are foreign conquerors that lead China into prosperity. Peasant rebel revolts, as well as a series of famines that struck China during the early seventeenth century, left the system of government vulnerable. After the collapse of the Ming Dynasty in 1644, Manchu people flooded south into China from their Manchuria homeland of the north and proclaimed a new, “pure” reign of power known as the Qing Dynasty (Bentley, 2014). The Qing Dynasty would continue to rule for two hundred and sixty-eight years because of an effective military, extensive cultural influence, and economic growth. The Manchus were mostly pastoral nomads whose remote ancestors
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Qing rulers also appointed Manchu people to the highest political posts. The Manchus were careful of preserving their own cultural identity, and were mindful of intermingling with Chinese culture. Intermarriage between Manchu and Chinese peoples was outlawed, and it was also illegal for Chinese to travel to Manchuria or learn the Manchu language. The Qing Dynasty also forced Chinese men to shave the front of their heads and grow a Manchu-style queue as a symbol of submission to the dynasty (Bentley, 2014). The Manchus not only used military and political force to establish the Qing Dynasty, but they also instilled cultural and social tactics in order to keep China under …show more content…
Qing military excellence as well as their ability to adopt and spread the Chinese culture while maintaining their own Manchu identity is what allowed the dynasty to flourish economically in terms of trade and manufacturing. The ultimate demise of the Qing Dynasty began when successors of Qianlong delegated responsibilities to favored eunuchs, and by the nineteenth century, the Qing faced serious difficulties (Bentley, 2014). Despite its end, the Qing Dynasty displayed the reach of Manchu power as well as the projection of Chinese culture into other
Qing rulers also appointed Manchu people to the highest political posts. The Manchus were careful of preserving their own cultural identity, and were mindful of intermingling with Chinese culture. Intermarriage between Manchu and Chinese peoples was outlawed, and it was also illegal for Chinese to travel to Manchuria or learn the Manchu language. The Qing Dynasty also forced Chinese men to shave the front of their heads and grow a Manchu-style queue as a symbol of submission to the dynasty (Bentley, 2014). The Manchus not only used military and political force to establish the Qing Dynasty, but they also instilled cultural and social tactics in order to keep China under …show more content…
Qing military excellence as well as their ability to adopt and spread the Chinese culture while maintaining their own Manchu identity is what allowed the dynasty to flourish economically in terms of trade and manufacturing. The ultimate demise of the Qing Dynasty began when successors of Qianlong delegated responsibilities to favored eunuchs, and by the nineteenth century, the Qing faced serious difficulties (Bentley, 2014). Despite its end, the Qing Dynasty displayed the reach of Manchu power as well as the projection of Chinese culture into other