the nature and causes of decline in Qing government towards the end of Qianlong¡¦s reign?

Qianlong succeeded his father in 1736 and was thoroughly grounded in the art of emperorship. At the age of 65 he noticed a young imperial bodyguard, Heshen. Heshen soon became Qianlong¡¦s favorite and was promoted to Imperial Household within two years. He was openly corrupted. Heshen had for 20 years disposed of the patronage of the Empire. In this source, Emperor Jiaqing condemned Heshen with a list of the ¡§twenty great crimes¡¨.

This source gives information on both the nature and the causes of decline in Qing government towards the end of Qianlong¡¦s reign. It has revealed the weaknesses of the Qing dynasty, which already occurred at the end of Qianlong¡¦s reign. This source pointed out that administrative inefficiency, widespread corruption and the degradation of the Manchus and the Bannermen were the main causes of decline in Qing towards the end of Qianlong¡¦s reign. These factors also triggered internal rebellions and together with the humiliating expl...