Qing Conquests (1644-61)

Leadership

*Emperor Shunzhi, r. 1644-61

6 years old upon enthronement

*Dorgon, d. 1650, Regent

Capture of Beijing, 1644

Reasons for Manchu Success

Late Ming disarray

Wu Sangui

Stationed at Shanhaiguan

Li Zicheng, 1630-1644

Beijing captured, 1644

Zhang Xianzhong 1630-47

Political and military organization

Chinese-style bureaucracy

*Banner military system

8 banners each of:

Manchus

Cavalry and leadership

Mongols

Cavalry

Han Chinese

Infantry

Government officials to supply army

Dorgon's Policies

Conquests

North China

Rebels

Li Zicheng, 1645

South China, 1645-61

Rebels

Zhang Xianzhong, 1647

Ming loyalists

Sack of Yangzhou, 1645

Prince of Fu, d. 1645, Nanjing

Prince of Gui, d. 1661, Burma

Settlement of banners

Manchus around Beijing

Mongols on north and northwestern frontiers

Han Chinese in North China

*Queue

What is significance of this hairstyle?

Chinese administrative system within China Proper

2 Presidents and vice-presidents of each ministry

Dual Manchu-Han control of civil administration

2 Presidents and vice-presidents of each ministry

Chinese and Manchus as administrative languages

Civil service exams reinstated, 1646

Administration of Empire

North China

Regular local administration

South China

*“The Three Feudatories”

Wu Sangui in Yunnan, Guizhou

Former Ming general

Shang Kexi in Guangdong

Bannerman

Geng Jimao in Fujian

Bannerman

Elliott, Emperor Qianlong, Chaps. 3-4

1. What is family life like for the Manchu imperial family?

• What was Qianlong’s relationship with his mother like?
  • How did filial piety (p. 35) influence their relationship?
  • Was he sincere in the attention he gave to his mother or was he just putting on a display to gain the support of the people?
• How were his marriages to his primary wife and secondary consorts arranged?
  • How did his attitudes toward his first wife, Lady Fuca, and second wife, Lady Ula Nara (pp. 41-46) differ?
  • What do the different treatments of the women after their deaths reveal about his personality?

2. Why does Elliott entitle Chapter 4 “The Dilemma of Manchu Success”?

• According to the Muslim historian, Ibn Khaldun, the 4th generation of conquerors (such as Qianling) is always doomed to decline (p. 51). What evidence of decline existed by the reign of Qianlong?
• What measures did Qianlong take to revive Manchu culture and identity?
• According to Elliott, how effective were these measures? What is your opinion?