End of the Qing Dynasty

Paper Summary:

The paper relates that after being more than prosperous for 300 years, the Qing Dynasty fell apart by growing weak and inflexible. The paper further relates that bad harvests, warfare, rebellions, overpopulation, economic disasters and foreign imperialism all contributed to the dynasty's collapse. The paper focuses on the military deterioration, internal rebellions, the White Lotus Rebellion and early Western contact.

From the Paper:

"Qing Dynasty, which lasted from 1644 to 1911, was also known as Ch'ing or Manchu. During this historical period, imperial China reached its zenith of power and influence, extending China's borders farther than they had ever been before and perfecting the Chinese imperial system. In fact, the Qing empire appeared so well-structured and economically flourishing in the 18th century, that the French philosopher Voltaire praised the country's leaders for having the most effectively organized government in the entire world. In addition, European leaders admired the powerful and learned Qing rulers as "enlightened despots" and advised their own kings to copy Chinese methods of government (Encarta). However, as in the case as all empires in the past, the Qing Dynasty and its glory days also came to an end."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Fairbank, John and Reischauer, Edwin. China. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1989.
• Gernet, Jacques. History of Chinese Civilization. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1972.
• Major, John. The Land and People of China. New York: J.B. Lippincott, 1989.
• Perry, Elizabeth. North China, 1845-1945. Stanford, CA: Stanford University, 1980.
• Qing Dynasty, Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2007. 9, March 2008http://encarta.msn.com 1997-2007 Microsoft Corporation..

More papers on End of the Qing Dynasty:

• Term Paper # 103621 : "Empress Cixi's Long and Peculiar Reign in Late Qing China"
• Analytical Essay # 146934 : "An Analysis of the Qing Dynasty"
• Analytical Essay # 72845 : "Daughter Of Han"

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