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What Is Dorgon's Legacy

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As one of the most controversial politician in Chinese history, Dorgon’s legacy, however, was much more considerable. Although never an emperor himself, he still played a major part in bringing the Qing dynasty to early Chinese throne and contributing to the longevity of Manchu culture.
When Manchus were still threatened by the Mongols of Central Asia and had yet to irrupt China mainland (Thackeray), Dorgon has helped his tribe to defeat the former Ming rulers and take imperial control of China. According to Frank Thackeray and John Findling, the first emperor of the Qing dynasty Nurhaci, also the father of Dorgon, his wishes of who succeed him were not clear, which resulted in a period of uneasiness among all the royal princes. His mother, Lady Abahai, was forced to commit suicide since other family members feared the potential strength of combination of her three sons. Dorgon served the later emperor Khong Tayiji faithfully, despite the …show more content…

Frederic claimed that “Manchu rule over the Chinese was now a fact, and the eventual Sinification of the regime was inevitable.” Dorgon chose to find the balance of the Manchu-Chinese that ensured the Qing can maintain its empire, he often appointed governors and officials who were ethic Chinese but had also been serving in the Qing armies for long time (Thackeray, Findling). Dorgon, indeed, also insisted the traditional Manchu custom. He demanded that all the Chinese men shave foreheads and pull their hair back into a long braid that Manchus wore; he also prohibited Manchu women to tie up their feet. These things, however, were more than a question of fashion. The main issue for him, was still the conflict between Dorgon and other aristocracy. As Dorgon garnered Chinese support, he decreased the power of the Manchu princes, which was truly big help for their

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