One of the most powerful women in Chinese history was
Cixi. She played a major role in ruling China for more than 40
Years in the late 1800s.
Cixi lived in a group of palace buildings called the
Forbidden City, within the city of Beijing. She spoke to all her
Visitors from a large red throne shaped like a dragon that was
Hidden behind a silk screen. Every one of her orders ended with
The warning “Hear and obey.”
Cixi was never really an empress. She was, however, the
Mother of the emperor’s only son. When the emperor died,
She helped her 6-year-old son, who was heir to the throne,
Rule China. She still had power when her son was old
Enough to rule by himself. Then he died, and the Dragon
Empress made sure her 3-year-old nephew became the
New emperor. Cixi helped him rule too.
During Cixi’s time the Chinese government became very dishonest.
But she did not rule alone during this time. A group of
Dishonest officials helped her make decisions. When her
Nephew grew up he tried to make some changes to improve
Life in China. The officials were against such changes. Only
After foreign armies captured Beijing in 1900 did Cixi begin to
Make things better. In 1908, when the Dragon Empress was
Dying, her nephew, the emperor, also died. Some say that she
Was ruthless and did not want him to rule without her so she
Poisoned him. But this was never proved.
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