A. Decline of the Ming (1368-1644)

        1. Internal Problems

            a. rise of eunuch power

            b. decline in govt revenues

            c. anti-Ming rebellions

        2. External Threats

            a. Toyotomi Hideyoshi's invasions

            b. Manchu consolidation in the northeast

                i. Nurhachi (1559-1626) banner system

                ii. Abahai (d. 1643) --- "Qing" (water radical), not Qin

                iii. Regent Dorgon --- led conquest of China

    B. Fall of the Ming

        1. Li Zicheng (1605-45): 1644 rebel forces occupied, looted Beijing

        2. Manchus invited into China to restore order

II. Anatomy of Early Qing Power

    A. Emperor Shunzhi claimed possession of tianming, or "decree of Heaven"

        1. dyarchy = dual govt of Manchus and Chinese

        2. Chinese opposition systematically forced southward

        3. Jesuit support --- Father Johann Adam Schall (1592-1666) allowed in govt.

    B. Kangxi (r. 1661-1722)

        1. consolidation of southern China, Taiwan, other areas

        2. promoted Confucianism, ruled as sage emperor

        3. Treaty of Nerchinsk (1689)

        4. invaded Tibet, established a new Dalai Lama

        5. firm handling of "Rites Controversy"

    C. Yongzheng (r. 1722-36)

        1. alleged usurper

        2. instituted the secret "palace memorial" system

    D. Middle Qing: Qianlong

        1. population tripled by the end of his reign: 1790---300 million

        2. Xinjiang "New Territories" brought into China

        3. Four Treasuries of Chinese Literature compiled