Wanli Emperor
| Wanli Emperor | |
|---|---|
| Birth and death: | Sept. 4, 1563–Aug. 18, 1620 |
| Family name: | Zhu (朱) |
| Given name: | Yijun (翊鈞) |
| Dates of reign: | Jul. 19, 1572–Aug. 18, 1620 |
| Dynasty: | Ming (明) |
| Era name: | Wanli (萬曆) |
| Era dates: | Feb. 2, 1573–Aug. 27, 1620¹ |
| Temple name: | Shenzong (神宗) |
| Posthumous name: (short) | Emperor Xian (顯皇帝) |
| Posthumous name: <center>(full) | Emperor Fantian Hedao Zhesu Dunjian Guangwen Zhangwu Anren Zhixiao Xian 範天合道哲肅敦簡光文章武安仁 止孝顯皇帝 |
| General note: Dates before 1582 are given in the Julian calendar, not in the proleptic Gregorian calendar. Dates after 1582 are given in the Gregorian calendar, not in the Julian calendar that remained in use in England until 1752. 1. Following the death of the emperor, the Wanli era was normally due to end on January 21, 1621. However, the new emperor Taichang died within a month, before January 22, 1621, which should have been the start of the Taichang era. The new emperor Tianqi decided that the Wanli era would be considered ended since August 27, 1620, the last day of the 7th month in the Chinese calendar, to enable the Taichang era to be applied for the five months remaining in that year (see Taichang article). | |
The Wanli Emperor (1563 – 1620) was emperor of China (Ming dynasty) between 1572 and 1620. Born Zhu Yijun, he was the Longqing Emperor's son.
Wanli saw the arrival of the first Jesuit missionary in Beijing, Matteo Ricci.
"The Wanli Emperor then became so disenchanted with the moralistic attacks and counterattacks of officials that he was thoroughly alienated from his imperial role. He finally resorted to vengeful tactics of blocking or ignoring the conduct of administration. For years on end he refused to see his ministers or act upon memorials. He refused to make necessary appointments. The whole top echelon of Ming administration became understaffed. In short, Wanli tried to forget about his imperial responsibilities while squirreling away what he could for his private purse. Considering the emperor's required role as the kingpin of the state, this personal rebellion against the bureaucracy was not only bankruptcy but treason." Fairbanks, John King, and Merle Goldman. China A New History. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1992.
Wanli Emperor
The Wanli emperors reign is representative of the decline of the Ming. He was an unmotivated and avaricious ruler who allowed his country to fall apart under his rule. He seldom met with his Inner Court or filled vacant offices. His reign was plagued with fiscal woes, military pressures, and angry bureaucrats. He also had sent eunuch supervisors to provinces to oversee mining operations which actually became covers for extortion. Discontent with the lack of morals during this time, a group of scholars and political activists loyal to Zhu Xi and against Wang Yangming, created the Donglin Movement, a political group who believed in upright morals and tried to affect the government.
| Preceded by: Longqing Emperor | Emperor of China (Ming Dynasty) 1572–1620 | Succeeded by: Taichang Emperor |
Categories: 1563 births | 1620 deaths | Ming Dynasty emperors