Guangxu Emperor
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]
- Qing dynasty
- Empress Dowager Cixi
- Hundred Days' Reform
- Kang Youwei
- Liang Qichao
- Summer Palace
- Forbidden City
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