Historical background

The Qing dynasty was founded by the earlier Jurchen people, who appeared as Manchus after they changed their name. They achieved the greatest expansion of the Chinese territory. Due to their promotion and consolidation of the Chinese empire, it achieved general prosperity.

Society:

The society of the Qing dynasty defined itself as an agrarian society. ⅘ of the total population were farmers who were confronted with high taxes and forced labor.

The society experienced a demographic growth, which is linked to the peaceful policy of the Qing dynasty. Economically, handicrafts and industries suffered from corruption of the civil service during the Qing dynasty.

The decline of the Qing dynasty:

At the end of the 18th century there were uprisings among the population. Vietnamese pirates endangered the dynasty as well.

The Qing's international relations with the outside world continuously promoted the intellectual development of the population, which among other things led to public criticism. The missionary work of the Jesuits promoted this development as well.

With the increasing influence of the East India Company since 1715 AD and the monopoly of the opium trade, there was a silver shortage on the part of the Qing dynasty. The second Opium War followed, which were to shape the Chinese Empire permanently. With the Treaty of Nanking in 1842 AD, China had to cede Hong Kong.

The reform efforts of society found their outlet in the Taiping uprising of 1851-1864 AD. In this civil war, society fought for the value of its equality. International relations led to a rethinking and an internal conflict in society. On the one hand one wanted to preserve one's own identity, culture and tradition, on the other hand, however, the adoption of western technology and foreign political models led to conflicts in society. On the one hand, this development resulted in the Hundred Days' Reform in 1898 AD, which was prevented by Cixi, and on the other hand it resulted in the Boxer Rebellion, which was suppressed by the Allies. In 1905 AD the imperial examination system was finally abolished.