Empress Dowager Cixi: A Symbol of Power in Late Qing

Cixi, of the Yehenara clan, was a powerful female ruler during the late Qing Dynasty. Not only did she play a crucial role on the political stage of the Qing court, but she also had a profound impact on the development of modern Chinese history.
In 1852, at the age of just 16, Cixi was selected to enter the imperial palace as a favored concubine of Emperor Xianfeng. With her exceptional intelligence and keen political instincts, she quickly won the emperor's favor and distinguished herself among the concubines. Xianfeng's affection provided her with significant capital for future power struggles.
After Emperor Xianfeng's death in 1861, Cixi, in alliance with Prince Gong, launched the Xinyou Coup and successfully seized control of the government. Serving as regent for the young Guangxu Emperor, she effectively became the real ruler of the Qing Dynasty.
During Cixi's rule, the Qing Dynasty faced numerous challenges, particularly invasions by Western powers and domestic unrest. In response, Cixi implemented a series of reforms aimed at self-preservation and strengthening the nation.
Beginning in 1860, Cixi supported the Self-Strengthening Movement, actively introducing Western technology and ideas, including the establishment of modern military forces, factories, and railways. This period saw the establishment of some modern enterprises and educational institutions, but the lack of a systematic reform plan and suitable talent limited their effectiveness.
In 1898, Guangxu Emperor attempted to implement the Hundred Days' Reform to modernize the political system. However, Cixi was deeply concerned about the reform measures, perceiving them as a threat to her power. Consequently, she allied with the opposition to stage a coup, leading to Guangxu's imprisonment and the failure of the reforms.
Cixi's ruling style was complex and multifaceted; she was not only a power broker but also a shrewd politician. Skilled in political maneuvering, she suppressed potential rivals to consolidate her position. However, her conservatism and preference for tradition rendered the Qing Dynasty vulnerable in the face of external pressures.
After the First Sino-Japanese War, the Qing Dynasty suffered defeat and signed the Treaty of Shimonoseki, exacerbating the national crisis. Subsequently, the Boxer Rebellion emerged, initially receiving Cixi's support but eventually escalating into widespread riots that provoked the Eight-Nation Alliance invasion, forcing Cixi to flee to Xi'an for refuge. Her responses and decisions during the crisis further exposed the corruption and incompetence of the Qing regime.
Cixi passed away in 1908, leaving behind a nation in turmoil. The same year, Guangxu Emperor also died, further destabilizing the Qing Dynasty's foundations.
Cixi's conservatism contributed to the Qing Dynasty's lag in modernization, laying the groundwork for the outbreak of the Xinhai Revolution. Although her policies during her reign failed to reverse the situation in the short term, they provided historical context for later reforms.
Some praise her as a strong female ruler who worked hard to maintain the Qing Dynasty's rule, while others criticize her conservatism and shortsightedness, arguing that she hindered China's modernization process. Regardless, she remains an indispensable figure in Chinese history, embodying the complexities of her era.