Why were the Manchus so successful at establishing a foreign dynasty in China and what were the main characteristics of Manchu rule?
The Manchu were a Tungistic people of northeastern China. They were originally called "Jurchens”. They declared a new Dynasty known as Qing Dynasty. Which lasted from 1644 to 1911. The Manchu's established strong military garrisons in key Chinese cities like Beijing. They made sure that all the important government and army posts were held by Manchu's rather than ethnic Chinese. To identify their rebels, they ordered all Chinese to adopt Manchu dress and hairstyles. All Chinese males were supposed to shave their foreheads and braid their hair into a queue and those who refused to do so were executed. They didn’t try to impose their own rules on Chinese people like their predecessors, Mongols did. They adopted the Chinese political system and which was widely accepted. Manchu’s had two strong emperors known as Kangxi and Qianlong who ruled China well over a century. Kangxi was the greatest ruler in Chinese history. He stabilized imperial rule and managed to make the dynasty acceptable to the general population. He was tolerant of the Christians and Jesuit missionaries, which became influential at court. After the death of Kangxi, his achievements were carried on by his successors Qianlong. He was known for his diligence, tolerance and intellectual curiosity and vigorous military against truly tribes. This helped the Manchu dynasty’ s growth throughout the century. They promoted economic prosperity, administrative efficiency, and scholarship and artistic excellence. They had a great ability to adapt to their new environment. They kept the Ming political system with few changes. They also tried to establish their legitimacy as China’s rightful rulers by stressing their devotion to the principle of Confucianism.
Characteristics of Manchu’s: -
1) Manchu leaders separated Manchus and Chinese and they prohibited