The Guangxu Emperor (August 14, 1871–November 14, 1908), born Zaitian (載湉), was the tenth emperor of the Manchu Qing dynasty, and the ninth Qing emperor to rule over China. His reign lasted from 1875 to 1908, but in practice he ruled from 1889 to 1898. He initiated the Hundred Days' Reform, but was abruptly stopped when Empress Dowager Cixi launched a coup in 1898. His reign name means "The Glorious Succession". Image File history File linksMetadata 清德宗光绪皇帝朝服像.JPG‎ http://guangxu. ... Like the Mongols, the Manchus were simply called by given name but they had their own clan names (hala in Manchu). ... Aisin Gioro (Simplified Chinese: 爱新觉罗; Traditional Chinese: 愛新覺羅; Pinyin: àixÄ«n juéluó; Manchu: ) was the clan name of the Manchu emperors of the Qing dynasty (as well as the later short-lived regime in Manchukuo). ... Manchu given names were used solely or with titles but not with clan names. ... A Chinese era name (traditional Chinese: 年號, simplified Chinese: 年号, pinyin nían hào) is the era name, reign period, or regnal title used when traditionally numbering years in an emperors reign and naming certain Chinese rulers (see the conventions). ... Temple names (Traditional Chinese: 廟號 Simplified Chinese: 庙号 Pinyin: miào hào;), are commonly used when naming most Chinese, Vietnamese (such dynasties as Tran,Anterior Lê and Nguyen Dynasty) and most Korean rulers of the Goryeo and Joseon Dynasties. ... A posthumous name (Traditional Chinese: 諡號/謚號 Simplified Chinese: 谥号; Pinyin: shì hào; Romaji: shigō/tsuigō; Revised Romanization of Korean: siho) is a honorary name given to royalty in some cultures posthumously, that is, after the persons death. ... The Manchu language is a member of the Tungusic languages of Altaic family; it used to be the language of the Manchu, though now most Manchus speak Mandarin Chinese and there are fewer than 100 native speakers of Manchu out of a total of nearly 10 million ethnic Manchus. ... August 14 is the 226th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (227th in leap years), with 139 days remaining. ... 1871 (MDCCCLXXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... November 14 is the 318th day of the year (319th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 47 days remaining until the end of the year. ... 1908 (MCMVIII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... The Emperor of China (Chinese: ; pinyin: Huángdì) was the title given to the rulers of China from the founding of the Qin Dynasty in 221 BC until the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1912. ... The Manchu (Manchu: Manju; Simplified Chinese: , Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: MÇŽnzú, Mongolian: Манж) are a Tungusic people who originated in Manchuria (todays Northeast China). ... The Qing Dynasty (Chinese: ; pinyin: QÄ«ng cháo; Wade-Giles: Ching chao; Manchu: daicing gurun), occasionally known as the Manchu Dynasty, was a dynasty founded by the Manchu clan Aisin Gioro, in what is today northeast China, expanded into China and the surrounding territories, establishing the Empire... The Hundred Days Reform (Chinese: 戊戌变法, wùxÅ« biànfÇŽ, or 百日維新, bÇŽirì wéixÄ«n) was a 103-day reform from 11 June to 21 September 1898. ... The Ci Xi Imperial Empress Dowager (Chinese: ; pinyin: Cíxǐ Tàihòu; Wade-Giles: Tzu-Hsi Huang Tai-hou) (November 29, 1835 – November 15, 1908), popularly known in China as the West Empress Dowager (Chinese: 西太后), the Nala Empress Dowager (Chinese: 那拉太后) and officially known posthumously as Empress Xiao... ...

Accession to the throne

Prince Chun, who was married to Empress Dowager Cixi's younger sister, and therefore he was Cixi's nephew. In January 1875, the Tongzhi Emperor died without a son. The Empress Dowager Ci'an suggested Prince Gong's son as the new Emperor, but she was overruled by Cixi. Instead, breaking the imperial convention that a new emperor must always be a generation after that of the passing emperor, Cixi suggested Prince Chun's son, Zaitian, and the imperial family agreed with this choice. The Tong Zhi Emperor, born Zai Chun (April 27, 1856–January 12, 1875) was the tenth emperor of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, and the eighth Qing emperor to rule over China, from 1861 to 1875. ... Empress Dowager Cian (zh: 慈安太后) (1837 - April 8, 1881), popularly known in China as the Eastern Empress Dowager (東太后), and officially known posthumously as Empress Xiaozhen Xian (孝貞顯皇后), was the empress consort of the Xianfeng Emperor (b. ... Prince Gong (Chinese: 恭亲王; Wade-Giles: Prince Kung) (January 11, 1833 - May 29, 1898), commonly known in his days as the Sixth Prince (六王爺), was born Yixin (Chinese: 奕訢; Wade-Giles: I-hsin), of the Aisin-Gioro clan (the Qing Manchu imperial family ruling over China). ...

Guangxu ascended the throne at the age of four and was adopted by Cixi as her son. For her part, she remained as regent with the title of the Holy Mother Empress Dowager. During his childhood, Guangxu was taught by Weng Tonghe. Weng Tonghe (翁同龢, 1830—1904). ...

Years of power

Even after he began formal rule, Cixi continued to influence his decisions and actions, despite residing for a period of time at the Imperial Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) which she had ordered Guangxu's father, the Prince Chun, to construct, with the official intention not to intervene in politics. The Summer Palace in Beijing. ... 1st Prince Chun The 1st Prince Chun (Chinese: 醇賢親王, officially Prince of the First Rank Chun Xian) (October 16, 1840 - January 1, 1891), commonly known in his days as the Seventh Prince (七王爺) was born Yixuan (Chinese: 奕譞; Wade-Giles: I-hsüan), of the Manchu Aisin-Gioro clan (the Qing Dynasty imperial...

After taking power, Guangxu was obviously more reform-minded than the conservative-leaning Cixi. He believed that by learning from constitutional monarchies like Japan, China would become more powerful politically and economically. In June 1898, Guangxu began the Hundred Days' Reform, aimed at a series of sweeping changes politically, legally, and socially. For a brief time, after the supposed retirement of Empress Dowager Cixi, Emperor Guangxu issued edicts for a massive number of far-reaching modernizing reforms with the help of more progressive Qing mandarins like Kang Youwei and Liang Qichao. The Hundred Days Reform (Chinese: 戊戌变法, wùxū biànfǎ, or 百日維新, bǎirì wéixīn) was a 103-day reform from 11 June to 21 September 1898. ... Kang Youwei (Chinese: 康有為; March 19, 1858–March 31, 1927) was a Chinese scholar and political reformist. ... Portrait of Liang Qichao (Tung Wah News, 17 April 1901) Liang Qichao (Chinese: 梁啟超, Liáng Qǐchāo; Courtesy: Zhuoru, 卓如; Pseudonym: Rengong, 任公) (February 23, 1873–January 19, 1929) was a Chinese scholar, journalist, philosopher and reformist during the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911) who inspired Chinese scholars with his writings and...

Changes ranged from infrastructure to industry and the civil examination system. Guangxu issued decrees allowing the establishment of a modern university in Beijing; the construction of the Lu-Han railway; and a system of budgets similar to that of the west. The initial goal was to make China a modern, constitutional empire, but still within the traditional framework, as with Japan's Meiji Restoration. The Meiji Restoration ), also known as the Meiji Ishin, Revolution, or Renewal, was a chain of events that led to a change in Japans political and social structure. ...

The reforms, however, were not only too sudden for a China still under significant neo-Confucian influence and other elements of traditional culture, but also came into conflict with Cixi, who held real power. Many officials, deemed useless and dismissed by Guangxu, were begging Cixi for help. Although Cixi did nothing to stop the Hundred Day's Reform from taking place, she knew the only way to secure her power base was to stage a military coup. Guangxu was made aware of such a plan, and asked Kang Youwei and his reformist allies to think of a way to rescue him. They decided to use the help of Yuan Shikai, who had a very modernized army, albeit only 6,000-strong. Cixi relied on Ronglu's army in Tianjin. Yuan Shikai in military uniform Yuan Shikai (Courtesy Weiting 慰亭; Pseudonym: Rongan 容庵 Traditional Chinese: 袁世凱; Simplified Chinese: 袁世凯; Hanyu Pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Yüan Shih-kai) (September 16, 1859 – June 5, 1916) was a Chinese military official and politician during the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China. ... Ronglu (荣禄, April 6, 1836- April 11, 1903) was a Manchu statesman during the late Qing dynasty. ...

Yuan Shikai, however, was beginning to show his skill in politics. The day before the staged coup was supposed to take place, Yuan chose his best political route and revealed all the plans to Ronglu, exposing the Emperor's plans. This undoubtedly raised Cixi's trust in Yuan, who thereby became a lifetime enemy of Guangxu. In September 1898, Ronglu's troops took all positions surrounding the Forbidden City, and surrounded the Emperor when he was about to perform rituals. Guangxu was then taken to Ocean Terrace, a small palace on an island in the middle of a lake linked to the rest of the Forbidden City with only a controlled causeway. Cixi would follow with an edict dictating Guangxu's total disgrace and "not being fit to be Emperor". Guangxu's reign had effectively come to an end.

House arrest

His house arrest, where even court Eunuchs were chosen to strategically serve this purpose. Although Cixi never forced Guangxu to abdicate, and his era had in name continued until 1908, Guangxu lost all honours, respect, power, and privileges given to the Emperor of the Great Qing other than its name. Most of his supporters were exiled, and some were executed in public by Cixi. Kang Youwei continued to work for a more progressive Qing Empire while in exile, remaining loyal to Guangxu and hoping to eventually restore him to power. Western governments, too, were in favour of Guangxu as the only power figure in China, replacing the Empress Dowager. A joint official document issued by western governments stated that only the name Guangxu was to be recognized as the legal authoritative figure, over all others. This only angered Cixi more. Image File history File links 光绪.jpg‎ Summary http://guangxu. ... A eunuch is a castrated human male. ... Kang Youwei (Chinese: 康有為; March 19, 1858–March 31, 1927) was a Chinese scholar and political reformist. ...

There was dispute, for a period of time, over whether Guangxu should continue to reign, even if only in name, as Emperor, or simply be removed altogether. Most court officials seemed to agree with the latter choice, but loyal Manchus such as Ronglu pleaded otherwise. Ronglu (荣禄, April 6, 1836- April 11, 1903) was a Manchu statesman during the late Qing dynasty. ...

In 1901, the Eight-Nation Alliance of Western powers and Japan entered China and occupied Beijing following a Chinese declaration of war which Guangxu opposed, but had no power to stop. Guangxu fled with Cixi to Xi'an, dressed in civilian outfits. Military of the Powers during the Boxer Rebellion, with their naval flags, from left to right: Italy, United States, France, Austria-Hungary, Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, Russia. ... Xian (Chinese: ; Pinyin: Xīān; Wade-Giles: Hsi-An; Postal System Pinyin: Sian), is the capital of Shaanxi province in China and a sub-provincial city. ...

Returning to the Forbidden City after the withdrawal of the western powers, Guangxu was known to have spent the next few years working in his isolated palace with watches and clocks, which had been a childhood fascination, some say in an effort to pass the time until the death of the Empress Dowager. He still had supporters, whether inside China or in exile, who wished to return him to real power. Overview of the Forbidden City The Forbidden City (Chinese: ; pinyin: Zǐjinchéng; literally Purple Forbidden City) was the Chinese imperial palace during the mid-Ming and the Qing Dynasties. ...

Guangxu died on November 14, 1908, a day before Cixi. Many suspect he was poisoned by the Empress Dowager. He was succeeded by Cixi's handpicked heir, his nephew Puyi, who became the Xuantong Emperor. His consort, who became the Empress Dowager Longyu, signed the abdication decree as regent in 1912, ending two thousand years of imperial rule in China. She died, childless, in 1913. November 14 is the 318th day of the year (319th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 47 days remaining until the end of the year. ... 1908 (MCMVIII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Pǔyí (Traditional Chinese: ; Simplified Chinese: ) (February 7, 1906–October 17, 1967) of the Manchu Aisin-Gioro ruling family was the last Emperor of China between 1908 and 1924 (ruling emperor between 1908 and 1912, and non-ruling emperor between 1912 and 1924), the twelfth emperor of the Qing Dynasty... Empress Dowager Longyu Her Imperial Majesty Dowager Empress Xiaoding Jing Longyu Huangtaihou of China (private name:靜芬) of the Yehonala clan (隆裕太后) (1868 - 1913) was the Empress Consort and also a cousin of the Guangxu Emperor (r. ... // High public office A regent, from the Latin regens who reigns is anyone who acts as head of state, especially if not the monarch (who has higher titles). ...

After the revolution of 1911, the new republic of China funded the construction of Guangxu's mausoleum in the Western Qing Tombs. The tomb was robbed during the Chinese civil war and the underground palace (burial chamber) is now open to public.

Historical Views

In 1912, Dr. Sun Yat-sen praised Guangxu Emperor for his educational reform package that allowed Chinese people to learn more about the western culture. After the establishment of the People's Republic of China, Communist historian Fan Wenlan (范文澜) called the emperor "the Manchu Noble who can accept Western Thinking". Some historians think that the emperor is the first Chinese leader to implement policies of modernization and capitalism. Image File history File links 清德宗光绪皇帝近照.jpg‎ http://guangxu. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require cleanup. ... Modernization is closely linked to classical liberalism. ... This box:      Capitalism generally refers to an economic system in which the means of production are mostly privately owned, and in which capital is invested in the production, distribution and/or other trade of goods and services for profit. ...

Personal

Guangxu's Empress and Consort

The Guang-Xu Emperor had three wives in total: the Long Yu Empress, the Imperial Consort Jin, and the Imperial Consort Zhen. Emperor Guangxu was forced by the Ci Xi Dowager Empress to marry her niece (his cousin) Yehenara Jingfen (Chinese: 叶赫纳拉·静芬), who was two years his senior. After marriage, Yehenara was granted the honorific title "Empress Long Yu", meaning "Auspicious and Prosperous" (Chinese: 隆裕皇后), and became a Dowager Empress after Emperor Guangxu's death in 1908. Yehenara's father was a younger brother of Dowager Cixi, and Cixi selected Yehenara as Guangxu's Empress because she wanted to strengthen the power of her own family. However, Emperor Guangxu detested his empress, and spent most of his time with his favourite consort, Lady Tatala, the Imperial Consort Zhen (珍妃), (better known in English as the "Pearl Consort"). In 1903, Consort Zhen was drowned by being thrown into a well at the order of the Cixi Dowager Empress after she begged the Dowager Empress to let the Guangxu Emperor stay in Beijing for negotiations with the foreign powers. That incident happened before Dowager Cixi was preparing to leave the Forbidden City due to the occupation of Beijing by the Eight-Nation Alliance in 1900. Like his predecessor, Emperor Tongzhi, Emperor Guangxu died without an heir. Image File history File links Left_=_Imperial_Consort_Jin,_Right_=_Empress_Long_Yu. ... Image File history File links Left_=_Imperial_Consort_Jin,_Right_=_Empress_Long_Yu. ... Empress Dowager Longyu Her Imperial Majesty Dowager Empress Xiaoding Jing Longyu Huangtaihou of China (private name:靜芬) of the Yehonala clan (隆裕太后) (1868 - 1913) was the Empress Consort and also a cousin of the Guangxu Emperor (r. ... Jinfei (Imperial Jin Concubine Tatala) (1874 - 1924), was an imperial concubine of the Guangxu Emperor, of the Manchu Qing Dynasty in China. ... Empress Dowager Longyu Her Imperial Majesty Dowager Empress Xiaoding Jing Longyu Huangtaihou of China (private name:靜芬) of the Yehonala clan (隆裕太后) (1868 - 1913) was the Empress Consort and also a cousin of the Guangxu Emperor (r. ... Jinfei (Imperial Jin Concubine Tatala) (1874 - 1924), was an imperial concubine of the Guangxu Emperor, of the Manchu Qing Dynasty in China. ... The Imperial Consort Zhen (Chinese: 珍妃) (February 27, 1876 - August 15, 1900), popularly known as the Pearl Concubine, was an Imperial Consort of the Guangxu Emperor (b. ... Empress Dowager Longyu Her Imperial Majesty Dowager Empress Xiaoding Jing Longyu Huangtaihou of China (private name:靜芬) of the Yehonala clan (隆裕太后) (1868 - 1913) was the Empress Consort and also a cousin of the Guangxu Emperor (r. ... Empress Dowager Longyu Her Imperial Majesty Dowager Empress Xiaoding Jing Longyu Huangtaihou of China (private name:靜芬) of the Yehonala clan (隆裕太后) (1868 - 1913) was the Empress Consort and also a cousin of the Guangxu Emperor (r. ... The Imperial Consort Zhen (Chinese: 珍妃) (February 27, 1876 - August 15, 1900), popularly known as the Pearl Concubine, was an Imperial Consort of the Guangxu Emperor (b. ... Overview of the Forbidden City The Forbidden City (Chinese: ; pinyin: Zǐjinchéng; literally Purple Forbidden City) was the Chinese imperial palace during the mid-Ming and the Qing Dynasties. ...

External link

• Badarangga Doro (Online Memorial Hall of Guangxu in Taiwan, Chinese only)