Class Central is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Harvard University

Modern China’s Foundations: The Manchus and the Qing

Harvard University via edX

Overview

This course, part of a comprehensive series on China, looks at the Qing state in the early 1600s and the challenges that the Manchus faced as minority rulers. While living in Chinese cities and surrounded by Chinese culture — a culture that was far more sophisticated than their own — the Manchus struggled to hold onto their identity as a conquesting people.

We'll look at the last period of ascendancy for China before the modern era. We’ll cover China in the 18th century, under the Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong emperors — a period in which the size of the empire nearly doubles.

The Qing was the last dynasty before the foundation of the modern republics and sets the stage for everything that will come after. Join us to learn about this critical era in Chinese history, an era that sets the stage for a truly modern China.

Taught by

Peter K. Bol

Reviews

4.6 rating, based on 8 Class Central reviews

Start your review of Modern China’s Foundations: The Manchus and the Qing

  • Profile image for Michael Ye
    Michael Ye
  • Profile image for Lola Jiang
    Lola Jiang
    I highly recommend this course. As a Chinese who studied some kind of Qing history in high school, this course provides so many different perspectives and helps me feel more connected with my culture and identity.
    + Good storytelling to balance between both bird eye view and key insights.
    + Provides perspective from Manchus people with their own origins, identities and their insecurities to rule over Han Chinese
    + Appreciate the accomplishments of Qing dynasty with its boarder expansion, population and economic growth in 17 and 18th century.
    + Acknowledge the heritage of Qing dynasty to modern China. How it lays foundation of boarder and how it cultivates a multi-cultural and pluralistic empire.
  • Very interesting as the previous segments and also presented with amazing images and paintings in the video lectures. 5/5!
    Very recommended.
  • Behrooz Torabi
    I can not pay for this course, you can make decision that can I continue this course or not without my payment.
  • Alice Baldock

Never Stop Learning.

Get personalized course recommendations, track subjects and courses with reminders, and more.

Someone learning on their laptop while sitting on the floor.