China and the Manchus

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

China and the Manchus

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

This book is a concise account of the history of the Manchu people, an ethnic group native to Northeast Asia, that rose to prominence in the 17th century, establishing the Qing Dynasty.

Summary up to 500 words

China and the Manchus is a historical account of the rise and fall of the Manchu dynasty in China. The book begins with the Nü-ch'ians, a branch of wild Tungusic nomads who were known for their valour and tattooed faces. They eventually became subject to the neighbouring Kitans, who proclaimed themselves Emperor of an independent kingdom in 907. The Nü-ch'ians later revolted against the Kitans and established their own dynasty, the Chin or Golden Dynasty. Nurhachu, a young hero born in 1559, played a crucial role in the rise of the Manchu power. He built a walled city, established an administration, and amalgamated five Manchu States under his personal rule. The book also touches on the Triad Society, a secret society that was active during this period. The author discusses the decline of the Manchu dynasty, including the reign of Tao Kuang, who failed to reform the court and left the empire in a critical condition. The book concludes with the rise of Sun Yat-sen and the fall of the Manchu dynasty. Sun Yat-sen, as provisional first president, addressed the tablet representing the names of the Ming dynasty's founder, saying that his descendants were degenerate and failed to carry on their glorious heritage. He also mentioned that the Manchu bandits could not even protect themselves and that powerful foes encroached upon the territory of China. The book ends with Sun Yat-sen's speech at the mausoleum of the first sovereign of the Ming dynasty, where he expressed his gratitude to the spirits of the great dead for their protection and influence.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/ebooks/herbert-a-giles_china-and-the-manchus.epub

Local file path

data/epubs/url-86de8dbacf5e9a8f.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-06-30 05:19 UTC

Categories

• History
• China