Emperor Kangxi: The Qing Dynasty

Qin Shi Huang-Di has left a large impact on China, and by extension the world, that has lasted many years. Qin created the foundation of the Chinese country of today. Some scholars even believe that without Qin Shi Huang-Di, there would be no China at all (Gracie). Qin’s impact on the world was the creation of an entire country, a pretty impressive feat. Especially in his time, when nothing like China had ever been created before, his unification and reformation of China into a lasting country is inspiring. Qin is sometimes credited “with establishing the world’s first truly centralized bureaucratic empire” (Gracie). Furthermore, his format of a centralized bureaucratic empire would be the basis for many other empires and countries that would

Kangxi and Louix XIV were two outstanding rulers in the seventeenth century. They were both powerful to reign their dynasty by increasing military and economic power. In this essay, I will take about the similarities and differences of these two rulers and who is the greater to influence the world history.

Many people have mistaken Confucianism as a religion. However, it is a system of belief, a philosophy. This belief emphasizes on respect and harmony of relationships. Moreover, it pushed for a well-ordered society by accentuating human relationships, a righteous leader and a good education. Confucius, a philosopher and a teacher, founded Confucianism. He grew up in the period of warring states, a time of chaos and internal hostilities during the Zhou Dynasty. Therefore, Confucius’ ultimate goal was to transform the Chinese society into a state of unity and righteous. However, Confucianism did not flourish until the Han Dynasty. It also played a different role in the Song Dynasty.

“All the peasants and soldiers to the wall.” Imagine being a laborer and having to contribute in the construction of the wall. During the Qin and Han dynasties, the Great Wall of China was built. The continuous wall protected the dynasties from the Mongols. The benefits of the wall did not outweigh the costs because of the soldiers , the economy that went down, and the forced labor from peasants and laborers.

The Ming and Qing dynasties were two of many dynasties in China. They were also in fact, the last two dynasties. The Ming dynasty ruled from 1368-1644, and the Qing empire ruled from 1644-1912. Both dynasties had long lasting eras of power because of strong framework from influential leaders. The Ming dynasty had Zhu Yuanzhang who was a successful war leader. The Qing had Hung Taiji and Li Zicheng who were key instruments in taking over the Ming dynasty and Beijing. Both dynasties had eventful paths to power, many achievements while in power, and a particular decline in power.

The second image is Portrait of the Kangxi Emperor in Court Dress. This piece if art was created by Qing Dynasty during the 18th century dating the 1644- 1911. In addition, this image was concealed only to be seen by the elite and royalty. During favorable occasions painting like this was created. The Emperor was mysterious and only seen by a few which increased his God-like status. Throughout the painting there is iconography and symbolism. To illustrate his authority, the Kangxi sits on a dragon throne, which raises him higher than his court. With Kangxi being the Emperor, his feet were not to touch the ground. The Dragon is thought to be the guardian and aide to the Emperor. In addition, the dragon is also repeated on his robe several times.

“The reason why China suffers bitterly from endless wars is because of the existence of feudal lords and kings.” -Qin Shi Huang.

When the Qing dynasty overtook the Ming dynasty, they found there was much to be done in the Chinese Empire. In the Ming’s last years, taxes rose for peasant to help the government, but “the new taxes and duties provoked anger and discontent, which was aggravated by the poor economy and the dismissal of state employees, and finally resulted in insurrections (1627-1644),” (Ming Decline and Collapse 258). The Qing needed to fix the government and make their citizens pleased, before they could be sure their rule would last. The Qing emperors, such as Kangxi or Qianlong, went to work fixing roads and waterways, as well as lowering taxes. It was also known that most governments failed because of corrupt officials therefore, “resumption of the civil

During the Post Classical Era, the Tang and Song Dynasties, which arose in China, had lasting effects throughout World History. These dynasties accomplished this goal through success in political, social, and economic aspects of their societies.

The causes and effects of the decline and fall of Han China during the classical era had similarities and differences when compared to the political, economic, and social causes and effects of the decline and fall of Rome during the Classical era.

When discussing the influence of Confucianism in the Han empire it is clear to say that other than the concept of education, relationship also played role in the contribution of order in society. One of the most well known systems in grouping this idea were the Five Relationships or in what used to be called wu-lun. These include relationships between father and son, elder brother and younger brother, husband and wife, emperor and subject, and friend and friend. The most essential relationship during the Han dynasty would be the association between emperor and subject, in which, it is the job of a subject to serve the emperor but, it is also the job of the emperor to care for the subject. According to Taylor, “ The Five Relations are

“Whoever render service to many puts himself in line for greatness - great wealth, great return, great satisfaction, great reputation, and great joy.” - Jim Rohn. The Ming and Qing empire was successful, advanced and had power. They had outstanding wealth, A luminous reputation and superior satisfaction. They were very educated and advanced in their agriculture. The strategies and actions they took are what made them the greatest empire. A civilization like Ming and Qing must have power to achieve greatness.

The roman and Han empire, although two completely different civilizations, yet despite that both fell due to similar key contributors. The Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty fell due to alike reasons. For both empires weak leadership and corruption, economic collapse and social disorder were three of the main contributor’s factors to their decline.

China’s Last Empire. The Great Qing. William T. Rowe. The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2009. 360 pages including Emperors and Dynasties, Pronunciation Guide, Notes, Bibliography, Acknowledgements, Index, Maps and Figures.

The early Ming Dynasty was a period of cultural restoration and expansion. Under a series of strong rulers, China extended its rule into Mongolia and Central Asia. The Ming even briefly conquered Vietnam, which after a thousand years of Chinese rule had reclaimed its independence following the collapse of the Tang dynasty in the tenth century”(Duiker 336) .The Ming dynasty also known as the Empire of the Great Ming was described as of the greatest and famous eras that bought stability in human history. Emperor Hongwu born Zhu Yuanzhang (1368 -1398) was the founder and first emperor of the Ming Dynasty of China despite his lowly birth as the son of a hired laborer from one of the poorest parts of China”(Menzies 45). In the middle of the 14th century, with famine, plagues, and peasant revolts sweeping across China, Zhu Yuanzhang rose to command the force