Rise+in+Royalty



Her rise to power came about when she gave birth to first and only male heir on April 27, 1856. He was born at the summer palace. The baby boy was named Zaichun who later became Emperor Tongzhi. Emperor Xianfeng had many wives and concubines, but it was only Cixi who bore a son. After his birth she was soon raised in rank from a third-level concubine to a first-level one. When her son turned one, Cixi became a secondary consort - one of the emperor's wives.

In 1861,after Emperor Xianfeng died in August, Cixi's son ascended the throne as Emperor Tongzhi, who honored his mother as 'Holy Mother Empress Dowager'.

In November, along with Prince Gong, Cixi launched a rebellion where eight leaders were killed. As a result, Cixi became the real power by keeping court from behind a screen. In 1862, she was given the title of Empress Dowager Cixi by Emperor Tongzhi (She gave the title to herself through Emperor Tongzhi's rule).

The birth of an emperor's son gave her the maximum status possible in China. Cixi rose from total darkness to the centre of the political stage of China as a figure of unique importance to the survival of the Qing Dynasty.

Cixi was now called the Empress of the Western Palace. And the emperor trusted her judgement and consulted her constantly on affairs of state. From that moment, she went from an insignificant figure, to someone who suddenly had presence and power over others.


 * Activity: True or False? **
 * 1) Cixi gave birth to the only son of the Emperor.
 * 2) Emperor Xianfeng died in August 1862.
 * 3) Cixi came into power due to her extensive knowledge in politics.
 * 4) Cixi ruled secretly for Tongzhi.
 * 5) Emperor Tongzhi started a rebellion with Prince Gong.
 * 6) Cixi was then known as the Empress of the Summer Palace.