The Rise of the Manchus
Although the Manchus were not Han Chinese and were strongly resisted, especially
in the south, they had assimilated a great deal of Chinese culture before
conquering China Proper. Realizing that to dominate the empire they would have
to do things the Chinese way, the Manchus retained many institutions of Ming and
earlier Chinese derivation. They continued the Confucian court practices and
temple rituals, over which the emperors had traditionally presided. The Manchus
continued the Confucian civil service system. Although Chinese were barred from
the highest offices, Chinese officials predominated over Manchu officeholders
outside the capital, except in military positions. The Neo-Confucian philosophy,
emphasizing the obedience of subject to ruler, was enforced as the state creed.
The Manchu emperors also supported Chinese literary and historical projects of
enormous scope; the survival of much of China's ancient literature is attributed
to these projects.......
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