You’ll never guess what happened. A Chinese dynasty fell and was replaced by another one. BUT, this time it’s different. The Manchus were the united tribes to the north that formerly made up the Jin Dynasty (the northern Chinese group that pushed the Sui Dynasty south just in time to get destroyed by the Mongols in fighting that will not be seen again on this scale until World War I!). So, they’re back. This time they are united as the MANCHU by Nurhaci and have invaded the weak and failing Ming Dynasty. I know what you’re thinking. “Cool, a group from the north invaded took over China… I’ve heard this song before.” BUT, this time… THEY BLEND IN WITH THE CHINESE CULTURE. These are the Manchus and they are the FINAL CHINESE DYNASTY (falling in 1911). Get to know them now, because in the next period, they will be dealing with the arrival of the Europeans and the wrath that follows. So, let’s meet the Manchu Empire (aka the Qing Dynasty)… Enter the dragon…

1. The Seven Grievances, Nurhaci, 1618 (Nurhaci’s defacto declaration of war on the Ming)
2. Sacred Edict, Kangxi Emperor, 1670 (Kangxi’s edict espousing his love of Confucianism)
3. Kangxi Dictionary, Kangxi Emperor, 1710 (Chinese dictionary ordered to be created by Kangxi)
4. Decree of Kangxi, Kangxi Emperor, 1715 (Official decree from Kangxi for Jesuits to stop preaching in China)
5. …

1. Nurhaci’s Imperial Portrait (these were an example of Rulers legitimizing power through art)

2. 8 Banners in Formation for Emperor Qianlong’s Grand Review

3. Emperor Kangxi’s Imperial Portrait

4. Manchu Queue Hairstyles

5. Red Barbarian Cannon (Hongyipao); The Manchus are a gunpowder empire too!

1. The Ming are garbage. They lose the Mandate of Heaven with wars, silver problems, and the largest earthquake in human history (death toll in 1556=820,000! … I think the Gods are trying to tell you something, Ming).
2. Some disgruntled people to the North (the Manchus) united under Nurhaci who also hated the Ming and how they ruled his region.
3. Manchus invade and take over as the final dynasty: THE QING DYNASTY
4. Rather than ruling OVER the Chinese, they try to rule WITH the Chinese. So, Manchus blend in with the Han Chinese by dressing the same, enforcing one haircut, and ruling with a dyarchy (every major position had a Han person and a Manchu person ruling side by side).
5. The Qing are super powerful. They are the largest of the Chinese Empires. But, as they rise to power the Europeans are slowly arriving. Europeans mixed with rebellions in the next period will eventually bring them down in 1911.