Annals of the Qing Dynasty (Volumes 1-12)

Author: Li Wenhai
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-07-01
Features: The "Annals of the Qing History," a major Qing history work compiled over two decades by the Institute of Qing History at Renmin University of China, is edited by Li Wenhai. It consists of twelve volumes and over six million words. Adopting a chronological format, the book records significant historical events from the Qing army's entry into the capital to the abdication of the Qing emperor, covering a span of 268 years. It provides a panoramic display of Chinese history during the Qing dynasty. At the recent publishing symposium, Qing history experts highly praised the compilers of the book for inheriting and developing the tradition of textual research under a modern academic perspective. They employed a rigorous methodology of extensive citation, specialized knowledge, and comprehensive synthesis to thoroughly summarize past Qing history research and clearly depict the developmental process of Qing history. Its publication offers an invaluable reference and tool for Qing history scholars.
Qing history studies emerged and rapidly developed as a branch of historical discipline only in this century. In recent years, this field has attracted increasing research interest from historians both domestically and internationally, as well as widespread attention from various sectors of society, making Qing history one of the most vibrant areas of historical research. This phenomenon is primarily determined by the inherent characteristics of the discipline itself. The Qing dynasty was the last feudal monarchy in China. During its rule, China underwent a historical turning point from advanced to backward status globally, from an independent feudal state to a semi-colonial and semi-feudal state, and from the medieval period to modern society. It was within this profound transformation that an extremely rich historical content was embedded, which also remains closely connected to all aspects of contemporary social life. Not only did the Qing dynasty lay the foundation for today's territorial boundaries and the initial population base of the People's Republic of China, but many issues in modern China's economy, politics, culture, military, foreign affairs, ethnic relations, and other areas also evolved from the Qing era. It can be said that a deep understanding of China's national conditions cannot be separated from a scientific grasp of Qing history. Thus, Qing history studies hold strong practical significance.
The compilation of the major Qing history work "Annals of the Qing History" spanned twenty years and was finally completed at the turn of the century. It represents an important academic achievement launched by the Institute of Qing History at Renmin University of China in 2000. The book comprises twelve volumes and over six million words. It begins with the first year of the Shunzhi reign and ends with the third year of the Xuantong reign, adopting a chronological structure with time as the longitude and events as the latitude. It records all major historical events from the Qing army's entry into the capital to the abdication of the Qing emperor over 268 years, covering issues in politics, economy, society, culture, military, foreign affairs, and ethnic relations, providing a panoramic display of Chinese history during the Qing dynasty. The book is richly documented, not only compiling a vast amount of primary sources but also carefully absorbing and summarizing past research achievements in Qing history.