Isabella Carter
China has a long history of monarchical rule, with various dynasties and transitions of power. The country has been ruled by absolute monarchy for most of its history, with the actual power of the ruler varying based on their ability to consolidate rule and other factors. The Qing dynasty, which was Manchurian and not Han, attempted to hold on to power by introducing a constitutional system and other reforms to appease the revolutionaries. While the Qing dynasty issued the constitutional Nineteen Creeds in 1911, limiting the power of the emperor, the monarchy was abolished just three months later. In an alternate history, one could imagine a scenario where China becomes a constitutional monarchy, perhaps as a result of an alliance formed after World War II to resist USSR aggression and communist rebellions. This could lead to a Westminster parliamentary system with features of a federation, where Chinese rulers, descended from warlords, periodically elect an Emperor of China as the federal constitutional monarch and head of state.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Monarchy | Constitutional |
| Type of Constitutional Monarchy | Federal |
| Form of Government | Right-authoritarian |
| Comparison | Pre-militarist Japan |
| Territory | China proper (including Hainan, Macau, and Hong Kong), Taiwan, Manchuria, Sakhalin, Mongolia, Vietnam, Tibet, Xinjiang, as well as parts of Central Asia, the Korean Peninsula, Afghanistan, and Siberia |
| Ruling Family | Qing dynasty |
| Emperor | Xuantong Emperor |
| Year of Transition | 1911 |
| Duration of Constitutional Monarchy | 3 months |
| Alliance | With USSR |
| Conference of Kings | Every five years or whenever a vacancy occurs |
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What You'll Learn
The Qing dynasty's role
The Qing dynasty was the last orthodox dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912. The dynasty reached its largest territorial extent, controlling Hainan, Macau, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Manchuria, Sakhalin, Mongolia, Vietnam, Tibet, Xinjiang, and parts of Central Asia, the Korean Peninsula, Afghanistan, and Siberia.
In 1875, Empress Dowager Cixi died, resulting in Empress Dowager Ci'an appointing Prince Gong as Prince Regent. From 1875 to 1887, Gong oversaw the modernization of China, and by 1890, China's military was fully modernized and centralized. Following an alternate ending to the Sino-Japanese War, where China lost Korea but kept Formosa, the Guangxu Emperor proposed to reform the empire into a constitutional monarchy with little to no resistance.
On 3 November 1911, the Qing dynasty issued the constitutional Nineteen Creeds, which limited the power of the emperor, marking the official transition to a constitutional monarchy. However, after only three months, the monarchy was abolished. The Qing dynasty attempted to hold on to power by making concessions to please the revolutionaries, such as introducing a constitutional system and other reforms. However, these attempts were not acceptable to the revolutionaries, the Han majority, or the Qing elite.
In this alternate history, the Qing dynasty successfully reforms into a constitutional monarchy, but ultimately falls due to the actions of one of its prime ministers. This could have led to the rise of Mao and the spread of communism. The Qing constitutional monarchy would likely have been a right-authoritarian state, with power held by the bureaucracy, the military, and businesses, similar to pre-militarist Japan.
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The role of the Emperor
In the hypothetical scenario of China becoming a constitutional monarchy, the role of the Emperor would be largely ceremonial and symbolic, serving as the federal constitutional monarch and head of state. The Emperor would be elected by the state rulers, who would convene a "Conference of Kings" every five years or whenever a vacancy occurs. This is a departure from China's historical experience with absolute monarchy, where the emperor wielded significant power.
In a constitutional monarchy, the Emperor's powers would be limited and defined by a constitution, ensuring a separation of powers and preventing the concentration of authority. The Emperor would have a ceremonial role in signing laws passed by the legislature, receiving foreign dignitaries, and performing official duties that unite the nation. The Emperor would also serve as a symbol of China's history, culture, and unity, much like how the "Dragon Throne" in the Forbidden City symbolized Chinese imperial power.
While the Emperor would have a limited role in daily governance, they could exercise soft power and influence through public statements and engagements. The Emperor could promote national unity, cultural preservation, and social cohesion. They could also play a role in foreign relations, conducting state visits and fostering diplomatic ties, particularly in the context of China's historical hegemony over other states through the Chinese tributary system.
In addition, the Emperor could serve as a stabilizing force during political crises or transitions. Their role could include encouraging dialogue, fostering consensus, and providing a sense of continuity during challenging periods. The Emperor could also have ceremonial duties related to the military, such as reviewing troops and honoring veterans, while refraining from direct involvement in military decision-making.
It is worth noting that the success of such a system would depend on the Emperor's ability to remain above partisan politics and act as a neutral figurehead. The Emperor's role would be to represent the nation as a whole, rather than any particular region or faction, which could be a challenging transition given China's historical experience with competing dynasties and political disunity.
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Democracy and democratic traditions
In more recent times, the Qing Dynasty, which was the last orthodox dynasty in China, attempted to introduce a constitutional system and other reforms to appease the revolutionaries. On November 3, 1911, the Qing Dynasty issued the constitutional Nineteen Creeds, which limited the power of the emperor and marked the official transition to a constitutional monarchy. However, this system only lasted three months before the monarchy was abolished.
The Qing Dynasty's attempts at reform were hindered by their Manchurian ethnicity, which differed from the majority Han population. Despite this, there were still proposals for a constitutional monarchy in 1908, and the Chinese Republic was founded in 1912. Unfortunately, it was briefly overthrown by Yuan Shikai, the architect of the Qing reforms, from 1915-1916.
In an alternate history where the Qing Dynasty successfully reformed into a constitutional monarchy, it is speculated that it would have eventually collapsed due to the actions of its prime ministers. This could have paved the way for Mao's rise to power and the spread of communism.
In terms of modern-day China, some have suggested that the only way for it to become a federal constitutional monarchy would be through a strong trade relationship with Greece and an invasion by Alexander the Great, allowing Greek cultural heritage to influence the emerging states.
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The influence of foreign powers
In an alternate history where China becomes a constitutional monarchy, foreign powers could play a crucial role in shaping the country's political trajectory. One scenario suggests that after World War II, China forms an overarching alliance with foreign powers to resist USSR aggression and Communist rebellions. This alliance could resemble the Westminster parliamentary system with federal features, allowing China to maintain its monarchy while adopting democratic principles.
Moreover, foreign powers could have played a role in shaping the leadership of a constitutional monarchy in China. In the hypothetical scenario of a post-Qing constitutional monarchy, there is a discussion about potential candidates for the position of emperor, including the Duke of Yansheng and the Marquis of Zhu. The selection of a leader who could effectively navigate the complexities of establishing a constitutional monarchy while addressing the challenges posed by foreign powers would be critical.
In conclusion, the influence of foreign powers has been a significant factor in China's historical trajectory, and it would likely continue to play a crucial role in shaping the country's political system in an alternate history where China becomes a constitutional monarchy. The success and longevity of such a monarchy would depend on complex interactions between domestic and international factors, including alliances, cultural influences, and the leadership's ability to navigate these dynamic circumstances.
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The Chinese tributary system
Under the tributary system, China exercised control over what was considered "China proper" — including Hainan, Macau, and Hong Kong — as well as Taiwan, Manchuria (both Northeast China and Outer Manchuria), Sakhalin, Mongolia (both Inner and Outer), Vietnam, Tibet, Xinjiang, and parts of Central Asia, the Korean Peninsula, Afghanistan, and Siberia. The largest territorial extent of the Chinese monarchy is debated to be under either the Yuan dynasty or the Qing dynasty, depending on the historical source.
The Chinese monarchy, throughout its history, was characterized by absolute monarchy, with the actual power of the ruler varying depending on their ability to consolidate rule and other factors. The last ruler of the Chinese monarchy is disputed, with some sources citing Aisin Gioro Puyi, the last emperor of the Qing dynasty, and others citing Yuan Shikai, the founder and only emperor of the Empire of China from 1915 to 1916.
In an alternate history where China becomes a constitutional monarchy, it is speculated that this would have required a point of divergence before China's historic rock bottom between 1800 and 2000. This could have involved a bureaucratic Confucian dictatorship technocracy, similar to what South Korea and Singapore experienced in the latter half of the 20th century.
In this alternate timeline, China could have become a right-authoritarian state, with power held by the bureaucracy, the military, and businesses, resembling pre-militarist Japan. The establishment of a constitutional monarchy in China may have faced challenges due to the lack of institutional bureaucracy to support a modern state and the entrenched feudalistic mindset of Chinese elites.
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Frequently asked questions
A constitutional monarchy is a system of government in which a country is ruled by a monarch, typically a king or queen, whose powers are limited by a constitution.
On 3 November 1911, the Qing dynasty issued the constitutional Nineteen Creeds, which limited the power of the emperor and marked the official transition to a constitutional monarchy. However, after only 3 months, the monarchy was abolished.
One theory suggests that a combination of factors, including an established trade relationship between China and Greece, and Alexander the Great successfully invading the North of India and reaching China, could have resulted in the establishment of a durable Greek-influenced empire. This, in turn, could have led to the formation of constitutional monarchies within the states that emerged after the empire's end.
Some potential challenges include the lack of institutional bureaucracy to establish a truly modern state, the resistance from Chinese elites who are accustomed to feudalism, and the possibility of devolving into a military dictatorship. On the other hand, a constitutional monarchy in China could have resulted in a less authoritarian regime compared to the current semi-totalitarian government.
One scenario imagines a post-Xinhai Revolution China becoming a constitutional monarchy under the Duke of Yansheng or the Marquis of Zhu, with a potential focus on restoring the Ming Dynasty. Another scenario explores the idea of the Qing Dynasty successfully reforming into a constitutional monarchy but ultimately collapsing due to the actions of its prime ministers, potentially leading to the rise of Mao and the spread of communism.
