The Story of China with Michael Wood Season 1 Episode 5 The Last Empire

"The Story of China with Michael Wood" season 1 episode 5 explores the events that led to the fall of the Qing Dynasty, also known as the Last Empire. Michael Wood takes the audience on a journey through the late 19th and early 20th centuries, explaining the political, social, and economic turmoil that plagued China during this time.

The episode begins with a brief overview of the Qing Dynasty's history, highlighting its initial success and expansion. However, as centuries passed, the dynasty experienced a decline in power and prestige due to various internal and external factors. In the late 19th century, China faced several humiliations at the hands of foreign powers, including the Opium Wars and the Boxer Rebellion. These events weakened the dynasty even further and sparked a desire for reform among the Chinese people.

The audience is introduced to key figures in this period, including Empress Dowager Cixi and her nephew, Emperor Guangxu. Cixi, the de facto ruler of China, was initially resistant to reform, but eventually recognized that modernization was necessary to save China from further humiliation. Guangxu, on the other hand, was eager to implement sweeping changes to China's political and social systems.

Wood explains how the Hundred Days' Reform, a period of rapid reform launched by Guangxu, was ultimately doomed to fail. Conservative officials, fearing for their own power and privileges, revolted against Guangxu and imprisoned him. This event marked a turning point in Chinese history, as it signaled the end of imperial rule and the start of a new era of political upheaval.

The episode also delves into the rise of revolutionary movements in China, particularly the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and its leader, Sun Yat-sen. Wood explains how Sun's vision of a modern, democratic China was highly appealing to many Chinese people, and how the KMT played a significant role in bringing an end to the Qing Dynasty.

The final moments of the episode focus on the downfall of the Last Emperor, Puyi. The audience is shown rare footage of Puyi's coronation as an infant and his life as a puppet ruler under Japanese occupation. Wood explains how Puyi eventually renounced his imperial title and became an ordinary citizen of the People's Republic of China, living out his life in relative obscurity.

Overall, "The Last Empire" is a fascinating look at a pivotal moment in Chinese history. Wood's engaging narration and the episode's use of archival footage and historical reenactments help bring this era of uncertainty and change to life.