Guangxu Emperor

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

EmperorGuangxu
1 Yuan Guangxu - 1895 - 1907
中國今上光緒皇帝
Guangxu Emperor 光绪皇帝
《载湉读书像》
Imperial standard of the Qing Emperor

Template:Chinese name

The Guangxu Emperor (14 August 1871 – 14 November 1908), born Aisin-Gioro Zaitian, was the eleventh emperor of the Qing dynasty, and the ninth Qing emperor to rule over China proper. His reign lasted from 1875 to 1908, but he was effectively under the control of the Empress Dowager Cixi for most of his reign.

Early Life[edit | edit source]

Zaitian was born to Prince Chun, a younger brother of the Tongzhi Emperor. After the death of the Tongzhi Emperor, Zaitian was chosen by Empress Dowager Cixi to succeed the throne, and he ascended the throne at the age of four, taking the era name "Guangxu," which means "glorious succession."

Reign[edit | edit source]

The Guangxu Emperor's reign is noted for the Hundred Days' Reform, a failed 103-day national, cultural, political, and educational reform movement from 11 June to 21 September 1898. The reforms were abruptly halted by a coup d'état led by Empress Dowager Cixi, who placed the emperor under house arrest for the remainder of his life.

Hundred Days' Reform[edit | edit source]

The Hundred Days' Reform was an attempt to modernize China's political, legal, and social systems. The Guangxu Emperor, influenced by reformist thinkers like Kang Youwei and Liang Qichao, issued edicts to reform the bureaucracy, the military, the educational system, and the economy. However, the conservative faction, led by Empress Dowager Cixi, opposed these changes, leading to the emperor's house arrest and the end of the reform movement.

Later Life and Death[edit | edit source]

After the coup, the Guangxu Emperor was confined to the Summer Palace and later to the Forbidden City. He remained under house arrest until his death on 14 November 1908, one day before the death of Empress Dowager Cixi. It is widely believed that he was poisoned, although the exact circumstances of his death remain a subject of speculation.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

The Guangxu Emperor's reign is often seen as a period of missed opportunities for China. His attempts at reform were thwarted by conservative elements within the Qing court, and his reign ended with China still struggling to modernize and resist foreign domination.

Related Pages[edit | edit source]

Template:Qing emperors


WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD