How The Last Emperor Of China Ended Up As A Gardener

Summary

Puyi, the last Emperor of China, ascended to the throne at just two years old, marking the end of the Qing Dynasty. Overthrown by a revolution in 1912, Puyi became a puppet ruler under Japan in Manchukuo during the 1930s. After Japan's defeat in World War II, he was captured by the Soviets and later returned to China, where he was re-educated by the Communists. Despite his tragic fall from imperial power, Puyi adapted to life under Communist rule, working as a gardener and librarian, until his death from kidney cancer in 1967. His life encapsulates China's turbulent 20th-century history.

Takeaways

• 😀 Puyi became the 11th emperor of China at the age of 2 in December 1908, after the death of the reigning emperor.
• 😀 His reign was largely symbolic, with Empress Dowager Cixi holding significant power behind the throne until her death in 1908.
• 😀 Puyi's early life was marked by whispers of uncertainty and skepticism regarding his ability to rule effectively at such a young age.
• 😀 In 1912, Puyi was overthrown by warlord Yuan Shikai, marking the official end of the Qing Dynasty and the monarchy in China.
• 😀 After his abdication, Puyi remained in the Forbidden City until 1924, when he was expelled by another warlord, Feng Yuxiang.
• 😀 Puyi sought refuge in the Japanese embassy and later aligned himself with Japan, becoming the puppet emperor of Manchukuo in 1934.
• 😀 As emperor of Manchukuo, Puyi was a figurehead, with no real power, serving Japanese imperial interests and becoming a symbol of Japanese dominance in China.
• 😀 Puyi's status as a puppet emperor was contrasted by the imposition of Shintoism in Manchukuo, despite his own Buddhist faith.
• 😀 When World War II ended and Japan surrendered in 1945, Puyi was captured by the Soviet Union and held in a concentration camp where he was treated relatively well.
• 😀 After being released, Puyi was sent back to China in 1950, where he was used by the Communist Party for propaganda purposes and spent years in a re-education camp.
• 😀 Puyi lived a humble life after his release, working as a gardener and librarian in Beijing, before dying prematurely of kidney cancer in 1967 at the age of 61.

Q & A

What marked the beginning of Puyi's reign as emperor of China?

Puyi's reign as emperor began in December of 1908, when he ascended to the throne at the age of two after the death of the previous emperor.

How did Puyi react during his coronation, and what were the public’s perceptions?

During his coronation, Puyi was overwhelmed by the sight of thousands of people and burst into tears. This emotional reaction led to whispers in Beijing, with some interpreting his tears as an ill omen for the empire.

Who played a significant role in appointing Puyi as the emperor, and why?

Empress Dowager Cixi played a crucial role in appointing Puyi as the emperor. She appointed him as the successor due to the lack of any other male heirs in the royal family, and her influence over the empire allowed her to manipulate the situation to her advantage.

How did Puyi's reign as emperor end, and what happened after his abdication?

Puyi's reign ended in 1912 when he was overthrown by warlord Yuan Shikai, marking the fall of the Qing Dynasty. Despite his abdication, Puyi was allowed to remain in the Forbidden City for a time, though he was eventually expelled and forced into exile.

What role did Puyi play in Manchuria under Japanese control?

Puyi became the puppet emperor of Manchukuo in 1934, a Japanese-controlled puppet state in Manchuria. While he held the title of emperor, he had no real power and was used by Japan as a figurehead to justify its imperial expansion in China.

How did Puyi's life change after Japan's defeat in World War II?

After Japan's defeat in 1945, Puyi was captured by Soviet forces during their invasion of Manchuria. He was held in a Soviet concentration camp where he was treated with respect and given privileges, including education on communism.

Why did Puyi fear being sent back to China during the civil war?

Puyi feared for his life because he knew that he could be used as a pawn by both the Nationalists and Communists, and he was unsure how he would be treated by either side. His concerns grew as the civil war between the Nationalists and Communists escalated.

What happened to Puyi after the Communist victory in 1949?

After the Communists, led by Mao Zedong, won the Chinese Civil War, Puyi was sent back to China in 1950. He was imprisoned in a labor camp for re-education for ten years, where he learned about communism and the new political ideology of China.

How did Puyi live after his release from prison in 1960?

After being released from his re-education camp in 1960, Puyi lived a humble life. He worked as a gardener at the National Botanical Garden in Beijing and later became a librarian for the National People’s Congress.

What led to Puyi’s death, and how was his health impacted during the Cultural Revolution?

Puyi died in 1967 from kidney cancer, a condition worsened by his inability to receive medical treatment during the Cultural Revolution. Hospitals in Beijing refused him treatment, as he was seen as a symbol of the old imperial system, and the Red Guards targeted him as a scapegoat.