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Chongzhen Emperor

Type Figure Region China Time 1611–1644 Also known as Ming Suzong、Zhu Youjian

The Chongzhen Emperor, Zhu Youjian, was the last emperor of the Ming dynasty, born 1611, died 1644, reigning 1627–1644 under the era name Chongzhen.…

Timeline

  1. 1611–1627Prince of Xin's Mansion, Beijing · BeijingFifth son of the Ming Guangzong and half-brother of the Tianqi Emperor. Enfeoffed as Prince of Xin, he resided in his princely mansion, cautious and self-restrained, witnessing the eunuch faction's usurpation of power and court chaos.
  2. 1627–1630Forbidden City, Beijing · BeijingSucceeded to the throne after the Tianqi Emperor's death, changing the era name to Chongzhen. Quickly purged Wei Zhongxian's eunuch faction, recalled descendants of the Donglin faction, and for a time an atmosphere of 'Chongzhen New Governance' emerged.
  3. 1631–1644Beijing · BeijingThreatened from north and south by Li Zicheng's peasant army and the Qing forces, the Liaodong defense line collapsed after the Battle of Songjin. In the third month of the seventeenth year of Chongzhen, Beijing fell; the emperor hanged himself at Coal Hill and the Ming perished.

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