Shun Dynasty
Encyclopedia
The Shun Dynasty was an imperial dynasty
created in the brief lapse from Ming
to Qing
rule in China. The dynasty was founded in Xi'an
on 8 February 1644, the first day of the lunar year, by Li Zicheng, the leader of a large peasant rebellion. Li, however, only went by the title of King(王), not Emperor(皇帝). The capture of Beijing
by the Shun forces in April 1644 marked the end of the Ming dynasty
, but Li Zicheng failed to solidify his mandate
: in late May 1644, he was defeated at the Battle of Shanhai Pass
by the joint forces of Ming general Wu Sangui
and Manchu
prince Dorgon
. When he fled back to Beijing in early June, Li finally proclaimed himself Emperor of China
and left the capital in a hurry. The Shun dynasty ended with Li's death in 1645.
After the Shun Dynasty was created, Li Zicheng ordered the soldiers to kill the Ming remnants still existing in Beijing. This resulted in strong rebellions from the forces of Southern Ming. In addition with the Shun ministers constantly fighting for power, the dynasty effectively lasted less than a year.
Dynasties in Chinese history
The following is a chronology of the dynasties in Chinese history.Chinese history is not as neat as is often described and it was rare for one dynasty to change peacefully into the next. Dynasties were often established before the overthrow of an existing regime, or continued for a time after they...
created in the brief lapse from Ming
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
to Qing
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
rule in China. The dynasty was founded in Xi'an
Xi'an
Xi'an is the capital of the Shaanxi province, and a sub-provincial city in the People's Republic of China. One of the oldest cities in China, with more than 3,100 years of history, the city was known as Chang'an before the Ming Dynasty...
on 8 February 1644, the first day of the lunar year, by Li Zicheng, the leader of a large peasant rebellion. Li, however, only went by the title of King(王), not Emperor(皇帝). The capture of Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
by the Shun forces in April 1644 marked the end of the Ming dynasty
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
, but Li Zicheng failed to solidify his mandate
Mandate of Heaven
The Mandate of Heaven is a traditional Chinese philosophical concept concerning the legitimacy of rulers. It is similar to the European concept of the divine right of kings, in that both sought to legitimaze rule from divine approval; however, unlike the divine right of kings, the Mandate of...
: in late May 1644, he was defeated at the Battle of Shanhai Pass
Battle of Shanhai Pass
The Battle of Shanhai Pass, fought on 27 May 1644 at Shanhaiguan at the eastern end of the Great Wall of China, was a decisive battle leading to the formation of the Qing dynasty in China...
by the joint forces of Ming general Wu Sangui
Wu Sangui
Wu Sangui was a Ming Chinese general who was instrumental in the succession of rule to the Qing Dynasty in 1644...
and Manchu
Manchu
The Manchu people or Man are an ethnic minority of China who originated in Manchuria . During their rise in the 17th century, with the help of the Ming dynasty rebels , they came to power in China and founded the Qing Dynasty, which ruled China until the Xinhai Revolution of 1911, which...
prince Dorgon
Dorgon
Dorgon , also known as Hošoi Mergen Cin Wang, the Prince Rui , was one of the most influential Manchu princes in the early Qing Dynasty. He laid the groundwork for the Manchu rule of China.-Early life:Dorgon was born in Yenden, Manchuria , China...
. When he fled back to Beijing in early June, Li finally proclaimed himself Emperor of China
Emperor of China
The Emperor of China refers to any sovereign of Imperial China reigning between the founding of Qin Dynasty of China, united by the King of Qin in 221 BCE, and the fall of Yuan Shikai's Empire of China in 1916. When referred to as the Son of Heaven , a title that predates the Qin unification, the...
and left the capital in a hurry. The Shun dynasty ended with Li's death in 1645.
After the Shun Dynasty was created, Li Zicheng ordered the soldiers to kill the Ming remnants still existing in Beijing. This resulted in strong rebellions from the forces of Southern Ming. In addition with the Shun ministers constantly fighting for power, the dynasty effectively lasted less than a year.
Generals and Ministers
- Niu Jinxing (牛金星) Prime MinisterPrime ministerA prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
- Gu Jun'en (顧君恩) staff
- Li Yan (李岩) staff
- Song Xiance (宋獻策) staff
- Liu Zongmin (劉宗敏) general
- Yuan Zongti
- Tian Jianxiu
- Hao Yaoqi (郝搖旗) general
- Li Guo (李過) general
- Gao Jie (高傑) general
- Lady Gao (Gao Guiying)Gao GuiyingGao Guiyng was a female Chinese revolutionary, rebellion-leader and army-commander, one of the most remarkable women in the history of China....
(李妻高氏) Li Zicheng's wife; general