Old photos of the late Qing Dynasty restore the real historical scene - during the late Qing society under the rule of Empress Dowager Cixi, China faced a situation of internal and external difficulties. Empress Dowager Cixi became the most powerful woman, and her 48 years of obedience to government had a profound impact on the entire society of the late Qing Dynasty. By restoring old photos from the late Qing Dynasty, this article shows the way Empress Dowager Cixi ruled and the true face of late Qing society.
Under Empress Dowager Cixi's rule, the Qing government became increasingly corrupt and unable to return to heaven in the face of invasions by the great powers. In order to maintain their rule, they had to bow to the demands of the great powers and constantly cede land and pay reparations. At the same time, at home, the Qing government oppressed and exploited the people.
In these old photos, we can see that Empress Dowager Cixi took the Pekingese dog when she went out, enjoying the imperial treatment; The old palace maids dried their quilts, showing their hard work; There are also eunuchs who are lazy and bedridden, revealing their state of life in the court. During the late Qing Dynasty, as more and more foreign missionaries and merchants came to China, they were full of curiosity about this mysterious eastern power.
In an old photo, a foreigner lady saw four large sedans for the first time, and in order to experience one, she paid for a sedan and held a parasol. This photograph shows that transportation was not developed at that time, and people rode small donkeys when they went out, which was uncomfortable but could travel relatively quickly. The rickshaw was a foreign product at that time, favored by the common people for its comfort and stability.
In another photo, two young ladies from large families charter a rickshaw followed by their entourage, and the driver is shirtless and very robust. This photograph shows the differences in the upper classes of society and the changes in lifestyles at that time. Empress Dowager Cixi was one of the most powerful women in late Qing society. Late Qing society under her rule was full of intrigue and court struggles. In one photo, Empress Dowager Cixi went out showing her luxurious procession, accompanied by a large entourage.
Empress Dowager Cixi had a soft spot for Pekingba dogs, and even set up a dog breeding office and found 4 palace maids to serve Pekingba dogs. In another photo, a palace maid holding a Pekingese dog basking in the sun shows their life at court. However, late Qing society was not so rosy for some ordinary people. The palace ladies spent most of their lives at court, and only at the age of 25 could they leave the palace to find their happiness.
And some old palace maids stay in the deep palace all their lives, and cannot go out at will, let alone marry and have children privately. In one photo, an old palace maid in her 50s holds her master's quilt to dry, showing their life forced to stay in the court for a long time. In her later years, Empress Dowager Cixi liked to live in the Summer Palace and enjoy the beautiful environment and peaceful life.
In one photo, Empress Dowager Cixi wears a fine cotton coat and a cloak made of mink down, enjoying snow with the second eunuch and concubine. Another photograph shows Empress Dowager Cixi fleeing west to Beijing, when the eight-nation coalition army reached the Forbidden City, Empress Dowager Cixi fled west overnight, but now the return journey is so loud that those who do not know think that she has won the battle. The Guangxu Emperor was under the control of Empress Dowager Cixi all his life, and he had to take him with him even when he fled.
In one photo, Emperor Guangxu lowered his head and got off the sedan and was in a low mood. This is the only real photo handed down by the Guangxu Emperor, and it also shows his extreme side. During the late Qing Dynasty, with the departure of Empress Dowager Cixi from Beijing, the rules of the court no longer existed. In one photo, the eunuchs slouched and slept on the kang. This photograph reveals the turmoil and chaos of late Qing society.
Through these restored old photos, we can more intuitively understand the social history of the late Qing Dynasty. Late Qing society under Empress Dowager Cixi was full of power intrigue and court struggles, but also showed the living conditions and social changes of ordinary people. These photographs give us a deeper understanding of the true face of late Qing society. To sum up, the social history of the late Qing period is shocking. Empress Dowager Cixi's way of rule led to corruption in the Qing government and the weakening of the state.
At the same time, the life of ordinary people in the court was also difficult and unfair. By restoring old photographs, we can better understand the history of late Qing society and shed some light on today's social development. In today's society, we should cherish the hard-won peace and stability and strive to contribute to the development of the country and the happiness of the people. At the same time, we should also pay attention to injustice and inequality in society, and strive to build a more harmonious and better society.
We should learn from history, continue to make progress, and contribute our own strength to the progress and development of society. Finally, I would like to ask the question, what aspects of late Qing society can you see from these old photographs? What are your views and thoughts on Empress Dowager Cixi's way of rule and the changes in late Qing society? Welcome to leave your comments and opinions.