The Nature and Structure of Qing Imperial Rule
- Manchu Leadership
- The Qing dynasty was founded by the Manchus, a non-Han ethnic group from the northeast, who ruled over China’s vast Han majority.
- Centralized Bureaucracy
- Based on Confucian principles, the emperor sat at the top of a vast civil service system staffed by scholar-officials selected through imperial examinations.
- Dual Administration
- The Qing balanced Manchu and Han officials in government positions to maintain loyalty and order.
- Emperor as “Son of Heaven”
- The emperor was seen as having a Mandate of Heaven, responsible for maintaining cosmic harmony through good governance.
- Censorship and Control
- The court enforced strict control over education, printing, and literature to preserve loyalty to the dynasty.
Definition
Mandate of Heaven
- Traditional Chinese belief that Heaven grants the right to rule based on virtue.
Definition
Civil Service Examination
- Competitive system selecting government officials through Confucian learning.
Administration and Expansion
- Provincial Structure
- Empire divided into provinces, prefectures, and counties, each governed by imperial officials.
- Censorate
- Officials monitored corruption and reported directly to the emperor.
- Military Organization
- The Eight Banners System formed the core of Manchu military and social order, supported by the Green Standard Army.
- Territorial Expansion
- The Qing conquered Xinjiang, Tibet, Mongolia, and Taiwan, creating China’s modern borders.
- Tributary System
