Qing Dynasty: A Different Path

PrussianQing2015

Note: I picture the Qing Dynasty modernizing somewhat in sync with Meiji era Japan with the only differences being China coming in a month or so after Japan. Of course, there could be situations where China would beat Japan in who modernizes first. If there's anything about this timeline that you think needs to be mentioned (such as military conflicts), expanded upon, revised, or removed, let me know and I might use them for the final version. As I said in the past, this is to help create the setting of a novel I hope to write. Also, if I am to continue the timeline, I don't expect the Qing Dynasty to last entirely into the present day. Just long enough to modernize.

Key: ? = unable to find specific number for year

1864: Recognizing the efforts of the Ever Victorious Army in defeating the Taiping Rebels, the Qing Court decides to hire more western military generals to help train their soldiers in modern combat. As a result, Li Hongzhang's proposals to add a new subject into the Imperial examinations involving Western technology do not go perfunctory.

1867: Western Uniforms are introduced to the Green Standard Army and Eight Banners. The uniforms of the Green Standard Army are heavily based on the uniforms worn by the Ever Victorious Army, with the exception of including traditional Qing headwear, while members of the Eight Banners wear German based uniforms with custom made pickelhaubes. Soldiers of the plain banners wear yellow, white, red, and uniforms. Soldiers of the bordered banners where similar uniforms, but bordered yellow, white, and blue uniforms include red trousers while bordered red uniforms include white trousers.

1872: Like in the original timeline, the Chinese Educational Mission commences, but is much more successful.

1873- 1874: Western medicine is introduced to China. As a result, the Tongzhi Emperor is vaccinated, preventing him from dying of smallpox.

1876: Before Shen Baozhen is able to purchase the Woosung Road for dismantling, the owners of the railway demand that the Tongzhi Emperor himself should be present to decide the line's future. Sure enough, after much debate, the Tongzhi Emperor arrives at one the railway's stops where he boards the train. Despite being told by his mother, the Dowager Empress Cixi, ahead of time to dismiss the railroad, the Emperor gives the Woosung Line his blessing after a rather pleasant train ride. This gives way to future railroad projects.

1876 - 1882: The Tongzhi Emperor has three children with Empress Xiaozheyi; two girls and one boy. Each child is born three years apart.

187? - 18??: A new section of Beijing is built with buildings based on shikumen architecture and Japan's Giyōfū architecture (with Chinese elements in place of the Japanese elements might I add). In addition, the Qianlong Palace is built. It is a western-style palace with architecture based on that of the western style mansions of the old summer palace before they were destroyed in the Second Opium War. The exterior of the palace is Italian baroque architecture with Chinese elements while the interior is inspired by the halls of the Forbidden City with a rich red and gold color scheme.

18??: Tongzhi starts to wear a western style uniform

1883: Foot binding is abolished. Before it was officially abolished, the Emperor's daughters are given special protection so that they'd be more presentable to foreigners.

188?: After witnessing the formation of Japan's Meiji constitution, talks begin about reforming the Qing Government into a constitutional monarchy, based on the German model set by Otto Von Bismarck. After learning that said model would allow the monarch to maintain power, Cixi approves and has Tongzhi appoint Li Hongzhang as the dynasty's first Imperial Chancellor. Taking inspiration from the unification of Germany in 1871, the Qing Government decides to turn Vietnam, Nepal, and Korea into federal states.

1908: Cixi dies like in the orginal timeline. Her death allows Tongzhi to rule without being a puppet.

1911: The Chinese Imperial Air Force is founded. It's planes are designed to resemble hardwire kites.
 

Tyler96

Wasn't Tongzhi shaping up to be a rather disinterested, indolent, ruler prior to his death? Or is this an alt!Tongzhi with a more dynamic personality?

Cixi just deciding to let China become a Constitutional monarchy seems out of character, unless it's a very, very limited constitution that still leaves most power with the Emperor. Ideally there'd be some serious pressure to adopt a constitution (from Westerners? Forward minded Chinese?) that prompts this, rather than them just looking at Japan and deciding to do a constitution on a whim.

If you want to push China in the direction of reform I'd involve Prince Gong a bit more.

Does China, after being ravaged by rebellions through the 1850s-70s, really have the resources for elaborate renovations in Beijing?

What's the western involvement in/reaction to, all this? Also, surely there'd be a conservative reaction to all this modernisation- how are they dealt with?

When's the novel set, relative to all this? Because if it's 100 years later you can probably get away with just broadly saying "the Qing modernised after defeating the Taiping" without needing to get into the nitty gritty of it all and dealing with all the issues of plausibility- the audience is generally willing to overlook some of this stuff if the narrative is engaging.
 
Dolan

Dolan

Banned
I think with different Tongzhi, you could have him ordering Cixi to be poisoned or strangled as the POD.

As long as Cixi is alive, there will be no reform.
 

PrussianQing2015

Wasn't Tongzhi shaping up to be a rather disinterested, indolent, ruler prior to his death? Or is this an alt!Tongzhi with a more dynamic personality?

I didn't know that about him. I find it strange that I (and maybe other people) tend to throw in Guangxu characteristics.

Cixi just deciding to let China become a Constitutional monarchy seems out of character, unless it's a very, very limited constitution that still leaves most power with the Emperor. Ideally there'd be some serious pressure to adopt a constitution (from Westerners? Forward minded Chinese?) that prompts this, rather than them just looking at Japan and deciding to do a constitution on a whim.

That's why I chose the German model in which, to quote Wikipedia (even though it isn't always accurate), "the Kaiser (Emperor) retained considerable actual executive power, while the Imperial Chancellor needed no parliamentary vote of confidence and ruled solely by the imperial mandate." The key words being "retain" and "power." Good use on the very's.

If you want to push China in the direction of reform I'd involve Prince Gong a bit more.

How do I do that?

Does China, after being ravaged by rebellions through the 1850s-70s, really have the resources for elaborate renovations in Beijing?

That's why I picture the Qing turning some of their tributary states into federal states. Using their economies to fix theirs.

What's the western involvement in reaction to all this? Also, surely there'd be a conservative reaction to all this modernization- how are they dealt with?

I'd like to think that the western reaction would be positive with the exception of France not liking Vietnam becoming a federal state. Again, I'm under the impression that the German model would be pro-conservative.

When's the novel set, relative to all this? Because if it's 100 years later you can probably get away with just broadly saying "the Qing modernized after defeating the Taiping" without needing to get into the nitty gritty of it all and dealing with all the issues of plausibility- the audience is generally willing to overlook some of this stuff if the narrative is engaging.

The novel is set in 1910 - 1911. That way, I can showcase airplanes shaped like Chinese kites as well as a Chinese New Year celebration. I'll keep your words. I was just going into history background just so that I could have a good political backdrop that my characters inhabit.
 
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