The Qing

Dynasty State &

Government
SHY 394 01
The Qing Dynasty:
❖ Originally nomadic people who
settled in the region bounded by
Siberia, Mongolia, and Korea.
❖ United under the leadership of
Nurhachi and Abahi to become
the “Manchus”.
❖ Believed to be one multicultural
entity. The phrases “Inner and
Outer” and “One Family” were
often written on official
document.
The Forbidden City, or the Palace Museum, located in the center of
The Banner System:
❖ Was the organized military and tax
purposes of the Manchus.
❖ Divided into eight major regions and
five ethnic divisions (Manchu, Han
Chinese, Mongolian, Tibetan, and
Muslims, or Hui).
❖ There were 300 men in each force, or
color (white, red, yellow, blue). The
bordered flags came later with
expansion.
Mandate of Heaven:
Integrated
❖ Bureaucracy:
Emperor did not have absolute power ❖ Political power in hierarchical
❖ “Divine Right of Kings” rejected levels
❖ Had to follow basic expectations; role model
❖ Held positions based on merit
❖ Could legitimately be overthrown ❖ Government Examinations
Examination System:
Commoners”:
❖ Government officials schooled
from young age
❖ Morals, Ethics, and
understanding on how to act
❖ Examinations of each level
“Elite
❖ Rule not limited to aristocrats
❖ Rulers had ties to non-
government occupations
❖ Based on meritocracy and
social responsibility
Tax Policy:
❖ Focused entirely on providing sufficient revenues for
the central state
❖ During the Qing dynasty, no one thought about
personal tax
❖ Instead based entirely on land
❖ As china grew, the old tax system was no longer
working
❖ The Qing government maintained a monopoly on the
sale of salt, an everyday commodity, but did not
otherwise burden the commercial sector with heavy
Secret Palace Memorial System:
❖ Was a way for the emperor to
communicate directly with officials.
❖ This meant no mediation from the court
❖ Messages were transported under lock
and key
❖ Overall the system was a success
❖ It provided accurate responses to local
policies
The Queue:
❖ Originated during the Tang Dynasty
(618-907).
❖ Characterised by a 3-strand braid.
❖ Emperor Taizu ordered all Chinese to
adopt the hairstyle in 1622.
❖ Some resistance to the practice, but
majority conformed out of convenience.
Rebellions:
❖ White Lotus Rebellion
➢ Started as an anti-tax/anti-Manchu
protest in 1796
➢ Wasn’t quelled until 1804
➢ Estimated 100,000 casualties
❖ Taiping Rebellion
➢ Started in 1850 by Hong Xiuquan
➢ Based off of Christianity and a
primitive form of Communism
➢ Captured Nanjing and renamed it
Tianjing.
➢ Was eventually ended in 1864
Bibliography & Sources:
Desnoyers, Charles A. Patterns of Modern Chinese History. Oxford University
Press, 2017.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Banner System.” Encyclopædia

Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 4 Oct. 2011,
www.britannica.com/topic/Banner-system.

“The End of the Queue.” The End of the Queue | China Heritage Quarterly, Sept.
2011, www.chinaheritagequarterly.org/features.php?
searchterm=027_queue.inc&issue=027.

Zelin, Madeleine. “The Grandeur of the Qing State.” The Grandeur of the Qing,