The Emperor of China who was a Toddler Flashcards
(23 cards)
When and where was Puyi taken from his home?
In 1908, shortly after nightfall, Puyi was taken from his home in Beijing by an imperial escort.
Why was Puyi taken from his family?
He was chosen to become the next emperor of the Qing Dynasty at just two years old.
How did Puyi react to being taken?
He cried, screamed, scratched, and resisted being taken from his home, hiding in a cupboard
Who was Puyi’s primary caretaker after being taken to the Forbidden City?
His wet nurse, Wang, became his main source of comfort and care.
Why was Puyi confused and scared during his coronation?
He was just a toddler, surrounded by unfamiliar people performing strange rituals in a freezing hall, without his nurse present.
Why was Puyi selected as emperor despite being only two years old?
Empress Dowager Cixi (Tsu Hsi) needed a young puppet emperor she could control through his regent father, Prince Chun.
What happened to the previous emperor before Puyi?
He was poisoned, likely orchestrated by Empress Dowager Cixi to maintain her grip on power.
What occurred the day after Puyi was selected?
Cixi herself died, leaving Puyi as the nominal emperor at age two.
What daily life did Puyi experience at age five?
He lived in extreme luxury, surrounded by eunuchs, dressed in new clothes daily, and isolated from his family and the real world.
How did eunuchs serve in the palace?
They were castrated servants who attended to every need of the emperor and were required to carry their removed genitals in jars.
How did Puyi treat his eunuchs?
He could be cruel—ordering floggings and attempting to trick them with dangerous gifts, such as metal-filled cakes.
Why did Puyi hate Empress Longyu?
She was strict and ultimately banished his beloved nurse Wang without letting them say goodbye.
What major event happened in 1911?
The Wuchang Uprising began, eventually leading to a full-scale revolution that overthrew the Qing Dynasty.
When did the Qing Dynasty officially end?
In February 1912, following Puyi’s abdication, China became a republic.
Did Puyi retain any privileges after his abdication?
Yes, he continued to live in the Forbidden City with wealth, servants, and a symbolic position.
What kind of documents did Puyi continue to sign after abdication?
He placed the imperial seal on trivial matters like staff promotions and changing eunuchs’ uniforms.
What was the Forbidden City like post-abdication?
It became a place of make-believe, a ‘golden cage’ for the former emperor.
Who was Reginald Johnston?
A British scholar who became Puyi’s English tutor and secretly taught him Western ideas and history.
How did Johnston influence Puyi?
He inspired Puyi to admire British culture and think critically about his own role and future.
What did Puyi do as an adult after leaving the Forbidden City?
He attempted to modernize, became involved with Japanese collaborators, and eventually was installed as puppet emperor of Manchukuo by the Japanese in the 1930s.
What happened to Puyi after World War II?
He was captured by Soviet forces, imprisoned, and later returned to China where he was re-educated and became a regular citizen.
What job did Puyi take later in life?
He worked as a gardener and later as a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.
When did Puyi die?
He died in 1967 in Beijing.
