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Ellen Whyte

Quick facts   
Yehenala, a Manchu girl   
Nickname: Cixi meaning 'kindly and virtuous'
Famous for: ruling China for almost 50 years   
Born: November 29, 1835, Beijing, China   
Died: November 15, 1908, Beijing, China   
Consort: of the Xianfeng emperor who reigned 1850-1861   
Profession: empress who reigned 1861-1875; adopted mother of the Guangxu emperor who reigned 1875-1908   
The lady who loved power   
Find words that mean: pretty, executive, rule, put in jail  
Nobody really knows where Yehenala was born or who her family were. But because this Manchu girl was beautiful, she became one of the royal concubines.  
At first nobody took much notice of her. But when she gave birth to Emperor Hsien-Feng only son, Yehenala became very important. 
The emperor died when his son was five years old. As the mother of the new emperor, Yehenala was given the name Cixi, meaning kindly and virtuous.   
At first, Cixi and several important officials ruled China together. But Cixi persuaded Emperor Hsien-Feng brother Prince Kung to throw out the other officials.   
Afterwards, Cixi shared power with Tz'u-an who had married her sister. Prince Kung became their adviser. 
Cixi, Tz'u-an and Kung retired when the emperor was 17. But when the new emperor died suddenly two years later, Cixi adopted her baby nephew and made him the new emperor.   
For some years, the three friends ruled together. But when Tz'u-an died, Cixi got rid of Prince Kung, too. She ruled alone until her nephew turned 18.   
At first Cixi let her nephew govern China. But when he made changes Cixi didn't like, she imprisoned him. Cixi ruled the country for the rest of her life.  
The Forbidden City  
Find words which mean the opposite of: extraordinary, exit, tiny, nobody   
The Forbidden City in Beijing consists of temples, houses and gardens protected by a huge wall.  Built between 1406 and 1420, this was the home of the emperor of China.   
It is called The Forbidden City because ordinary people were not allowed to go inside. Important officials met the emperor in the outer court.   
The emperor and his family lived in the inner court. Only palace servants were allowed to visit this part. Anyone else who tried to take a peek at this part would be executed.   
Today the Forbidden City is a World Heritage Site. Anybody is allowed to visit. All you need  to do is buy an entry ticket!   
East and West Empress Dowagers   
Choose the correct alternative:   
The empress dowager Ci'an was born in/as  Lady Niuhuru. Her family were important officials and quite rich.   
Lady Niuhuru was very beautiful. At first she was  a concubine up/in the Forbidden City. Later she became the wife of Emperor Hsien-Feng.   
When the emperor died, Lady Niuhuru was still a very important person. The people began to call her Ci'an, meaning motherly and kind. Ci'an ruled together with the mother of the new emperor, Cixi. Both ladies were given the title at/of Empress Dowager.  
As Ci'an rooms were in/up the eastern part of the Forbidden City, she was nicknamed the East Empress Dowager. As Cixi's rooms were in/up the western part of the Forbidden City, Cixi was nicknamed the West Empress Dowager.  
True or false?   
To test your memory, try answering without referring to the text. If you can't remember the details, read the piece again.   
1 The empress dowager Cixi came from an important family.   
2 Cixi became important because she was the mother of the emperor's only son.   
3 Cixi was nicknamed the West Empress Dowager because she was born in western China.   
4 Cixi shared power with Ci'an the wife of Emperor Hsien-Feng.   
5 When her son died, Cixi made her nephew emperor. 
Answers:
Rise to power: bullied, revolutionaries, conquered, hero
From emperor to exile: empire, winter, exile, escaped
Battle gear: heavily, liked, fast, move
True or false: 1. F, 2. T, 3. F, 4. T, 5. T



History-maker Part 8; Cixi, Empress Dowager of China