故宫老照片（讲解词）
老照片1：历史事件-八国联军午门阅兵
互动提问：各位请拿出第1号照片，这张老照片拍摄于1901年，照片的位置就是在我们眼前这个位置，请问这些人在干什么？
解释回答：照片上这些人是军队的士兵，但是，他们不是中国的军队，更不是来到这里接受中国皇帝的检阅。事实上，他们是由英法德意美日俄奥组成的一只联军，他们正在准备占据紫禁城，此时的皇宫已经是一座空城。1901年，清帝国的实际掌权者慈禧太后，软禁了支持改革的光绪皇帝，与西方列国发生了激烈的矛盾。慈禧太后纵容一只由农民组成的武装组织进入北京，包围了西方各国使馆区，发生了激烈战斗。史称庚子事变。之后由英国，法国，美国，德国，俄国，日本，意大利，奥地利组成了一只联军，从天津港口登陆，进攻北京。8月联军攻入北京城。中国军队战败，慈禧太后携带光绪皇帝，匆忙逃跑。联军进入北京后大肆烧杀，给北京造成了巨大灾难。这张照片就是联军士兵包围紫禁城，正在进行胜利阅兵。阅兵后各国军队的军官，从这里进入紫禁城。
解释回答：照片上这些人是军队的士兵，但是，他们不是中国的军队，更不是来到这里接受中国皇帝的检阅。事实上，他们是由英法德意美日俄奥组成的一只联军，他们正在准备占据紫禁城，此时的皇宫已经是一座空城。1901年，清帝国的实际掌权者慈禧太后，软禁了支持改革的光绪皇帝，与西方列国发生了激烈的矛盾。慈禧太后纵容一只由农民组成的武装组织进入北京，包围了西方各国使馆区，发生了激烈战斗。史称庚子事变。之后由英国，法国，美国，德国，俄国，日本，意大利，奥地利组成了一只联军，从天津港口登陆，进攻北京。8月联军攻入北京城。中国军队战败，慈禧太后携带光绪皇帝，匆忙逃跑。联军进入北京后大肆烧杀，给北京造成了巨大灾难。这张照片就是联军士兵包围紫禁城，正在进行胜利阅兵。阅兵后各国军队的军官，从这里进入紫禁城。
Ok, everyone, please take a look of the photo 1. This old photo was taken in 1901, the position shot is just this square in front of us. My question, what were these people doing here?
Through this photo, we can clearly confirm that is an army, but they are not the Chinese army, they didn't come here to be inspected by the Chinese Emperor. Actually, they came here to attack this city. they are a coalition army group composed of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, America, Japan, Russia and Austria. At this time, the palace was already an empty city. What is the reason for this happening?
In 1901, the Empress Dowager Cixi, the highest ruler of the Qing Empire, placed Emperor Guangxu, who supported the reform under house arrest, The behavior has been opposed and criticized by Western countries, the Empress Dowager Cixi was outraged and deliberately allowed a piece of armed farmer group to enter Beijing and surrounded the embassy area of Western countries, then fierce fighting broke out. Known as the Gengzi Incident in history. Afterwards, a coalition force formed by eight western countries landed at Tianjin Port and attacked Beijing. In August, the coalition forces captured the Beijing city. The Chinese army was defeated, and Empress Dowager Cixi took Emperor Guangxu with her run away in a hurry. After the coalition forces entered Beijing, they burned and killed everywhere, causing great disaster to this city. This photo shows coalition soldiers surrounding the Forbidden City and conducting a victory parade. After the military parade, the highest officers from various armies entered the Forbidden City from here.
Through this photo, we can clearly confirm that is an army, but they are not the Chinese army, they didn't come here to be inspected by the Chinese Emperor. Actually, they came here to attack this city. they are a coalition army group composed of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, America, Japan, Russia and Austria. At this time, the palace was already an empty city. What is the reason for this happening?
In 1901, the Empress Dowager Cixi, the highest ruler of the Qing Empire, placed Emperor Guangxu, who supported the reform under house arrest, The behavior has been opposed and criticized by Western countries, the Empress Dowager Cixi was outraged and deliberately allowed a piece of armed farmer group to enter Beijing and surrounded the embassy area of Western countries, then fierce fighting broke out. Known as the Gengzi Incident in history. Afterwards, a coalition force formed by eight western countries landed at Tianjin Port and attacked Beijing. In August, the coalition forces captured the Beijing city. The Chinese army was defeated, and Empress Dowager Cixi took Emperor Guangxu with her run away in a hurry. After the coalition forces entered Beijing, they burned and killed everywhere, causing great disaster to this city. This photo shows coalition soldiers surrounding the Forbidden City and conducting a victory parade. After the military parade, the highest officers from various armies entered the Forbidden City from here.
老照片2：历史事件-故宫文物南迁。
互动提问：各位请拿出第1号照片，这张老照片拍摄于1933年，照片的位置就是在我们眼前这个位置，请问这些人在干什么？
解释回答：我们可以看出他们正在运送东西，不过这些不是普通的物品，都是紫禁城珍贵的文物，它们即将被运送到中国的南京。为什么要把它们送到南京？因为当时1932年的时候，日本已经攻占了山海关长城。准备对中国发动全面战争，为了不让紫禁城的珍贵文物被日本军队抢劫走，民国政府决定将大批故宫文物向南运输。后来这些文物的绝大部分没有再回到紫禁城。1949年随着国共战争的结束，这些文物被蒋介石带到了台湾，今天摆在了台北的故宫博物院里面。
解释回答：我们可以看出他们正在运送东西，不过这些不是普通的物品，都是紫禁城珍贵的文物，它们即将被运送到中国的南京。为什么要把它们送到南京？因为当时1932年的时候，日本已经攻占了山海关长城。准备对中国发动全面战争，为了不让紫禁城的珍贵文物被日本军队抢劫走，民国政府决定将大批故宫文物向南运输。后来这些文物的绝大部分没有再回到紫禁城。1949年随着国共战争的结束，这些文物被蒋介石带到了台湾，今天摆在了台北的故宫博物院里面。
Ok, everyone, please take a look of the photo 2. This old photo was taken in 1933, the position shot is just right over here. My question, what were these people doing here?
We can see that they were transporting something, but these are not ordinary items, they are precious cultural relics from the Forbidden City, and they were about to be transported to Nanjing, China. Why were they sent to Nanjing? Because in 1932, Japan had already captured the Shanhaiguan Great Wall. Preparing to launch an all-out war against China, to prevent these precious cultural relics from being robbed by the Japanese army, the Republic of China government decided to transport a large number of cultural relics from the Forbidden City southward. Later, most of these cultural relics never returned back to the Forbidden City. With the end of the war between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party in 1949, these cultural relics were brought to Taiwan by Chiang Kai-shek, they are now displayed in the National Palace Museum in Taipei.
We can see that they were transporting something, but these are not ordinary items, they are precious cultural relics from the Forbidden City, and they were about to be transported to Nanjing, China. Why were they sent to Nanjing? Because in 1932, Japan had already captured the Shanhaiguan Great Wall. Preparing to launch an all-out war against China, to prevent these precious cultural relics from being robbed by the Japanese army, the Republic of China government decided to transport a large number of cultural relics from the Forbidden City southward. Later, most of these cultural relics never returned back to the Forbidden City. With the end of the war between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party in 1949, these cultural relics were brought to Taiwan by Chiang Kai-shek, they are now displayed in the National Palace Museum in Taipei.
老照片3：历史事件-民国一战胜利大阅兵
互动提问：各位请打开第3号照片，这张老照片拍摄于1918年，这张老照片的位置，就是在我们眼前这里，请问照片里面的这些人在做什么？
解释回答：照片里的人都是中国的士兵，此时，这里正在举行着一次盛大的阅兵典礼。1918年第一次世界大战结束，而中国当时是参加了协约国作战。因此做为战胜国，民国政府在这里举行了庆祝典礼。但是令人失望的是，第二年的巴黎和会，中国人没有拿回被德国占领多年的山东，山东被英法转给了日本。消息传回到北京，激发了中国人的愤怒，造成了后来的五四运动，中国共产党正式走上了历史舞台。
解释回答：照片里的人都是中国的士兵，此时，这里正在举行着一次盛大的阅兵典礼。1918年第一次世界大战结束，而中国当时是参加了协约国作战。因此做为战胜国，民国政府在这里举行了庆祝典礼。但是令人失望的是，第二年的巴黎和会，中国人没有拿回被德国占领多年的山东，山东被英法转给了日本。消息传回到北京，激发了中国人的愤怒，造成了后来的五四运动，中国共产党正式走上了历史舞台。
Ok, everyone, please take a look of the photo 3, This old photo was taken in 1918, the position shot is just the square in front of us. My question, what were these people doing here?
The people in the photo were all Chinese soldiers. The picture is showing a grand military parade was being held here. The First World War ended in 1918, and China became a victorious country as they fought in the camp of the Triple Entente. to celebrate victory, A grand military parade was held here by the Republic of China government. But disappointingly, at the Paris Peace Conference the following year, the Chinese did not take back Shandong region, which had been occupied by Germany for many years. Shandong was transferred to Japan by Britain and France. The news spread back to Beijing, arousing the anger of the Chinese people, which later led to the May Fourth Movement, and the Communist Party officially entered the stage of history.
The people in the photo were all Chinese soldiers. The picture is showing a grand military parade was being held here. The First World War ended in 1918, and China became a victorious country as they fought in the camp of the Triple Entente. to celebrate victory, A grand military parade was held here by the Republic of China government. But disappointingly, at the Paris Peace Conference the following year, the Chinese did not take back Shandong region, which had been occupied by Germany for many years. Shandong was transferred to Japan by Britain and France. The news spread back to Beijing, arousing the anger of the Chinese people, which later led to the May Fourth Movement, and the Communist Party officially entered the stage of history.
老照片4：历史事件-华北日军投降仪式
互动提问：各位请打开第4号照片，这张老照片拍摄于1945年，照片的角度就是在这里，请问照片里面的这些人在做什么？
解释回答：1945年日本战败，第二次世界大战结束。中国人民经历了八年的抗日战争，赢得了战争的胜利。1945年10月10日，故宫太和殿前举行了盛大的受降仪式，日本华北占领军司令，在这里向国民政府签订投降书，之后全部日军解除武装。这一天，北京城有10万人涌进了故宫，见证了这一激动人心的时刻。照片上我们可以看到拥挤的人群，中间路上走的是日本华北占领军的司令及部下军官。
解释回答：1945年日本战败，第二次世界大战结束。中国人民经历了八年的抗日战争，赢得了战争的胜利。1945年10月10日，故宫太和殿前举行了盛大的受降仪式，日本华北占领军司令，在这里向国民政府签订投降书，之后全部日军解除武装。这一天，北京城有10万人涌进了故宫，见证了这一激动人心的时刻。照片上我们可以看到拥挤的人群，中间路上走的是日本华北占领军的司令及部下军官。
This photo are showing the a grand surrender ceremony, in 1945, with the unconditional surrender of Japan, the Second World War was over. The Chinese people experienced eight years of anti-Japanese fighting and won the war. On October 10, 1945, a grand surrender ceremony was held in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City. The commander of the Japanese occupation forces in North China signed a letter of surrender to the China government and allied forces here. After that, all Japanese troops were disarmed. On this day, 100,000 people in Beijing poured into the Forbidden City to witness this exciting moment. In the photo, we can see a crowded people. Walking in the middle of the road are the commander of the Japanese North China Occupation Force and his subordinate officers.
老照片5：历史事件-八国联军故宫巡逻
互动提问：各位请打开第5号照片，这张老照片拍摄于1901年，照片的角度就是在这里，请问照片里面的这些人在做什么？
解释回答：1901年，八国联军占领了北京，慈禧太后和光绪皇帝逃往西安，联军士兵对北京各个皇家场所，包括颐和园在内都进行了大肆洗劫。但是匪夷所思的是，紫禁城却没有遭到洗劫。当然，这并不是因为联军的仁慈。而是关于谁能够进入紫禁城，各国联军发生了激烈的争吵。日本最高指挥官福岛少将指出，攻占紫禁城的战斗中，日本和美国付出的代价最大，因此紫禁城只能由美国和日本两国进行守卫，其它国家的军队禁止入内。经过激烈的讨价还价，各国最终同意了这个方案。日本和美国占领紫禁城后，并未对这里进行掠夺，使得故宫躲过这场抢劫。照片中，是美国第6步兵团正在巡逻。
解释回答：1901年，八国联军占领了北京，慈禧太后和光绪皇帝逃往西安，联军士兵对北京各个皇家场所，包括颐和园在内都进行了大肆洗劫。但是匪夷所思的是，紫禁城却没有遭到洗劫。当然，这并不是因为联军的仁慈。而是关于谁能够进入紫禁城，各国联军发生了激烈的争吵。日本最高指挥官福岛少将指出，攻占紫禁城的战斗中，日本和美国付出的代价最大，因此紫禁城只能由美国和日本两国进行守卫，其它国家的军队禁止入内。经过激烈的讨价还价，各国最终同意了这个方案。日本和美国占领紫禁城后，并未对这里进行掠夺，使得故宫躲过这场抢劫。照片中，是美国第6步兵团正在巡逻。
In 1901, the Eight-Power Allied Forces occupied Beijing. Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu run away to Xi'an. Allied soldiers looted in various royal places in Beijing, including the Summer Palace. But what is incredible is that the Forbidden City was not looted. Of course, this is not because of the benevolence of the coalition forces. At that time, the coalition forces had a fierce quarrel about who could enter the Forbidden City, Major General Fukushima, Japan's top commander, pointed out that Japan and the United States paid the highest price in the battle to capture the Forbidden City. Therefore, the Forbidden City can only be guarded by the American and Japanese, and troops from other countries are prohibited from entering. After intense bargaining, the countries finally agreed to this plan. When the Japanese and the American occupied the Forbidden City alone, they did not plunder it, allowing the Forbidden City to escape this robbery. This photo are showing the U.S. 6th Infantry Regiment was patrolling.
老照片6：历史事件-1917年张勋复辟
互动提问：各位请打开第6号照片，这张老照片拍摄于1917年，请问照片里的这个人是谁？他在做什么？
解释回答：大家猜的对，照片里面的这个人就是中国的末代皇帝溥仪。这是他登基时的照片，不过这不是他第1次登基的时候，第1次登基时他只有3岁。两年后他的清帝国倒台，他宣布退位。1917年的时候，曾经是清帝国将军的张勋，发动了北京政变，打算复辟清帝国。此时溥仪12岁，在张旭的护卫上，第2次登基，宣布恢复清帝国王室的统治。不过这次复辟只维持了12天，张勋就被民国军队击败，溥仪被迫第2次下台。
解释回答：大家猜的对，照片里面的这个人就是中国的末代皇帝溥仪。这是他登基时的照片，不过这不是他第1次登基的时候，第1次登基时他只有3岁。两年后他的清帝国倒台，他宣布退位。1917年的时候，曾经是清帝国将军的张勋，发动了北京政变，打算复辟清帝国。此时溥仪12岁，在张旭的护卫上，第2次登基，宣布恢复清帝国王室的统治。不过这次复辟只维持了12天，张勋就被民国军队击败，溥仪被迫第2次下台。
Everyone guessed right! the young man in the photo was Pu Yi, the last emperor of China. This was the photo when he ascended the throne for the second time, He was only 3 years old when he ascended the throne for the first time. Two years later his Qing empire collapsed and he announced his abdication. In 1917, Zhang Xun, who was once a general of the Qing Empire, launched a coup in Beijing with the intention of restoring the Qing Empire. Puyi was 12 years old at that time. With ZhangXun’s escort, he ascended the throne for the second time and announced the restoration of the ruling of the Qing empire. However, this restoration only lasted for 12 days. When Zhang Xun was defeated by the Republic of China army and Puyi was forced to step down for the second time.
老照片7：历史人物-末代皇帝溥仪
各位请打开第7号照片，这是中国末代皇帝溥仪，紫禁城的最后一位主人。这里曾经是溥仪生活的地方。做为中国的最后一位皇帝，溥仪有着传奇的一生，他从一位帝国皇帝，变成了一位中国普通的公民，这在世界上也是绝无仅有的。 1908年，3岁的溥仪被慈禧太后选中，登基成为皇帝。而两年后中国爆发了民主革命，建立了民国政府，溥仪宣布退位，清帝国结束290年的统治。做为与民国签订的皇室优待条件，溥仪被允许住在紫禁城。1924年他被政变的民国军队逐出紫禁城，此时溥仪18岁。此时的溥仪对民国政府充满了仇恨，此时的日本已经全面占领了中国的东北，为了实现长期合法化的统治，溥仪则是他们最好的人选。1932年溥仪在日本的协助下，秘密从天津来到了东北，在这里建立了伪满洲国，溥仪成为了皇帝。但他只是一个傀儡皇帝。
1945年日本战败，溥仪被苏联军队俘虏，东京审判时曾做为证人指控日本战犯的罪行。之后，1950年，溥仪被苏联移交回中国，得知此消息，溥仪曾试图自杀，因他认为回来后肯定会被枪毙。但是当他被关进中国的战犯监狱后，却受到了共产党的良好对待。他在监狱呆了9年，在这里，他的思想发生了重大改变，一个曾经连挤牙膏，系鞋带都不会的皇帝，学会了劳动和自食其力。1959年溥仪被特赦，他回到了北京，在政府的关照下，他被安排到了北京植物研究所工作，溥仪成为了一名花匠，在他自传中谈到，这是他一生最快乐的时光。在工作期间，有时候他也会回到故宫这里，不过和我们一样，他需要买票进来参观，溥仪曾经自嘲的说，在这个世界上，我是唯一一个需要买票才能回家的人。 1967年，溥仪在北京去世，结束了他传奇的一生。
1945年日本战败，溥仪被苏联军队俘虏，东京审判时曾做为证人指控日本战犯的罪行。之后，1950年，溥仪被苏联移交回中国，得知此消息，溥仪曾试图自杀，因他认为回来后肯定会被枪毙。但是当他被关进中国的战犯监狱后，却受到了共产党的良好对待。他在监狱呆了9年，在这里，他的思想发生了重大改变，一个曾经连挤牙膏，系鞋带都不会的皇帝，学会了劳动和自食其力。1959年溥仪被特赦，他回到了北京，在政府的关照下，他被安排到了北京植物研究所工作，溥仪成为了一名花匠，在他自传中谈到，这是他一生最快乐的时光。在工作期间，有时候他也会回到故宫这里，不过和我们一样，他需要买票进来参观，溥仪曾经自嘲的说，在这个世界上，我是唯一一个需要买票才能回家的人。 1967年，溥仪在北京去世，结束了他传奇的一生。
The figure of this picture was Puyi, the last emperor of China and also the last owner of the Forbidden City. The place we standing now was where Puyi once lived. As the last emperor of China, Puyi had a legendary life. Which was transformed from an imperial emperor to an ordinary Chinese citizen, it’s unique in the world. In 1908, 3-year-old Puyi was selected by Empress Dowager Cixi and ascended the throne to become emperor. Two years later, the democratic revolution broke out in China and the Republic of China government was established. Puyi announced his abdication, ending the 290-year ruling of the Qing Empire. Based on condition of the royal treatment signed with the new government, Puyi was allowed to live in the Forbidden City living quatre. In 1924, he was expelled from the Forbidden City by the Republic army in a coup. At that time, Puyi was 18 years old. was full of hatred in his mind for the treachery to the government. In 1931, Japan had fully occupied Northeast China. In order to achieve long-term legalized rule, Puyi was their best candidate. In 1932, with the assistance of Japan, Puyi secretly came to Northeast China from Tianjin, where he established the Manchukuo State and Puyi became the emperor. But he was just a puppet emperor.
In 1945, Japan was defeated, Puyi was captured by the Soviet army. He served as a witness at the Tokyo Trial to accuse Japanese war criminals. Later, in 1950, Puyi was handed over to China by the Soviet Union. After learning the news, Puyi tried to commit suicide because he thought he would definitely be shot when he returned China. But he was treated well by the Communist Party when he was imprisoned. He stayed in prison for 9 years. Here, his thinking changed significantly. An emperor who once couldn't squeeze out toothpaste or tie shoelaces learned to work and be self-reliant. In 1959, Puyi was pardoned and he returned to Beijing. With the care of the government, he was assigned to work at the Beijing Institute of Botany. Puyi became a gardener. He mentioned in his autobiography that this was the happiest time in his life. During his work, sometimes he would return to the Forbidden City, but like us, he needed to buy a ticket to visit. Puyi once laughed at himself and said, "In this world, I am the only person who needs to buy a ticket to go home." In 1967, Puyi died in Beijing, ending his legendary life.
In 1945, Japan was defeated, Puyi was captured by the Soviet army. He served as a witness at the Tokyo Trial to accuse Japanese war criminals. Later, in 1950, Puyi was handed over to China by the Soviet Union. After learning the news, Puyi tried to commit suicide because he thought he would definitely be shot when he returned China. But he was treated well by the Communist Party when he was imprisoned. He stayed in prison for 9 years. Here, his thinking changed significantly. An emperor who once couldn't squeeze out toothpaste or tie shoelaces learned to work and be self-reliant. In 1959, Puyi was pardoned and he returned to Beijing. With the care of the government, he was assigned to work at the Beijing Institute of Botany. Puyi became a gardener. He mentioned in his autobiography that this was the happiest time in his life. During his work, sometimes he would return to the Forbidden City, but like us, he needed to buy a ticket to visit. Puyi once laughed at himself and said, "In this world, I am the only person who needs to buy a ticket to go home." In 1967, Puyi died in Beijing, ending his legendary life.
老照片8：历史人物- 慈禧太后
人物介绍：各位请打开第8号照片，照片里面的人物就是清帝国著名的慈禧太后。虽然清帝国有皇帝，但是她却是实际的最高权力者。她统治了中国长达48年，这她统治的这段时间内，政治上非常保守，执行闭关锁国的政策，使得清帝国一步步走向衰落。在她去世后三年，中国就爆发了民主革命，清帝国结束。但是慈禧太后是一个非常有政治手段的人，她出身普通人家，17岁被选入紫禁城时做了一名普通的嫔妃。但是她却抓住机会得到了咸丰皇帝的喜爱，进而为皇帝生了一个儿子，也是皇帝唯一的儿子。咸丰皇帝去世后，这个3岁的儿子继承了皇位。而此时慈禧与皇帝的弟弟秘密发动了政变，除掉了辅助执政的官员集团，从而使得自己成为了最高权力决策者。进行重大决议时，小皇帝坐在前面，后面是一扇帘子，慈禧太后坐在后面听从汇报，发布决策，叫做“垂帘听政”。
小皇帝长大后慈禧依然把握着最高权力，在郁闷的心情下，这位年轻的皇帝在19岁时去世，于是慈禧选择了她的侄子成为了新皇帝，这个人就是著名的光绪皇帝。光绪皇帝是个有理想的皇帝，他希望中国能够效仿日本的明治维新，进行改革。在他的支持上，中国开启了政治改革。不过这次改革只维持了100多天。慈禧太后再次发动宫廷政变，废除改革，并且囚禁了光绪皇帝。这个事情遭到了西方各国的批评和抗议。慈禧进而向西方各国宣战，导致了1901年八国联军入侵北京。1908年，73岁的慈禧太后在紫禁城去世。而在她去世的前两天，被软禁的光绪皇帝去世，很多人怀疑他是被慈禧太后毒死的。因为慈禧担心自己死后，光绪皇帝重新掌握政权，对自己和部下进行清算。慈禧去世之前，指定了她的外孙成为新的皇帝，这个人就是末代皇帝溥仪。
小皇帝长大后慈禧依然把握着最高权力，在郁闷的心情下，这位年轻的皇帝在19岁时去世，于是慈禧选择了她的侄子成为了新皇帝，这个人就是著名的光绪皇帝。光绪皇帝是个有理想的皇帝，他希望中国能够效仿日本的明治维新，进行改革。在他的支持上，中国开启了政治改革。不过这次改革只维持了100多天。慈禧太后再次发动宫廷政变，废除改革，并且囚禁了光绪皇帝。这个事情遭到了西方各国的批评和抗议。慈禧进而向西方各国宣战，导致了1901年八国联军入侵北京。1908年，73岁的慈禧太后在紫禁城去世。而在她去世的前两天，被软禁的光绪皇帝去世，很多人怀疑他是被慈禧太后毒死的。因为慈禧担心自己死后，光绪皇帝重新掌握政权，对自己和部下进行清算。慈禧去世之前，指定了她的外孙成为新的皇帝，这个人就是末代皇帝溥仪。
The figure of this picture was the famous Empress Dowager Cixi of the Qing Empire. Although the Qing Empire had an emperor, she was the actual person with the highest authority. She ruled China for almost 48 years. During this period of her ruling, she was very conservative and carried out a policy of isolation from the country, which led to the decline of the Qing Empire step by step. Three years after her death, China's democratic revolution broke out and the Qing Empire was over. But Empress Dowager Cixi was a very smart and ambitious women. She came from an ordinary family and became an ordinary concubine when she was elected to the Forbidden City at the age of 17. But she seized the opportunity to win the favor of Emperor Xianfeng, and gave birth to a son for the emperor, the only son to this emperor in his life, After the death of Emperor Xianfeng, this 3-year-old son inherited the throne. At this time, Cixi and the emperor's younger brother secretly launched a coup, getting rid of the official group that assisted the ruling, thus making herself the most powerful decision-maker. When major decisions were being made during the conference, the little emperor sat in front seat with a bamboo curtain behind him, and the Empress Dowager Cixi sat in the back to listen to reports and make decisions, which is called "Attending state affair behind the curtain."
When the little emperor grew up, Cixi still held the highest power. In a depressed mood, the young emperor died at the age of 19, before Cixi chose her nephew to become the new emperor. The Emperor Guangxu. Emperor Guangxu was an idealistic emperor. He hoped that China could imitate Japan's Meiji Restoration to carry out reforms. With his support, China initiated political reforms. However, this reform only lasted for more than 100 days. Empress Dowager Cixi once again launched a palace coup, abolished the reforms, and placed Emperor Guangxu in house arrest. This matter has been criticized and protested by Western countries. Cixi then declared war to these Western countries, leading to the invasion of Beijing by the Eight-Power Allied Forces in 1901. In 1908, the 73-year-old Empress Dowager Cixi died in the Forbidden City. Two days before her death, Emperor Guangxu died under house arrest. Many people suspected that he was poisoned by Empress Dowager Cixi. Because Cixi was worried that after her death, Emperor Guangxu would regain power and liquidate herself and his subordinates. Before Cixi died, she appointed her grandson as the new emperor, who was the last emperor Puyi.
When the little emperor grew up, Cixi still held the highest power. In a depressed mood, the young emperor died at the age of 19, before Cixi chose her nephew to become the new emperor. The Emperor Guangxu. Emperor Guangxu was an idealistic emperor. He hoped that China could imitate Japan's Meiji Restoration to carry out reforms. With his support, China initiated political reforms. However, this reform only lasted for more than 100 days. Empress Dowager Cixi once again launched a palace coup, abolished the reforms, and placed Emperor Guangxu in house arrest. This matter has been criticized and protested by Western countries. Cixi then declared war to these Western countries, leading to the invasion of Beijing by the Eight-Power Allied Forces in 1901. In 1908, the 73-year-old Empress Dowager Cixi died in the Forbidden City. Two days before her death, Emperor Guangxu died under house arrest. Many people suspected that he was poisoned by Empress Dowager Cixi. Because Cixi was worried that after her death, Emperor Guangxu would regain power and liquidate herself and his subordinates. Before Cixi died, she appointed her grandson as the new emperor, who was the last emperor Puyi.
老照片9：历史人物-溥仪的老师庄士敦
互动提问：各位请打开第9号照片，这张老照片拍摄于1922年，请问照片里的这些人是谁？
解释回答：大家猜的对，照片里面中间这位年轻人，就是末代皇帝溥仪。但是旁边有一个西方人，这个人我要特别给大家介绍一下，他就是溥仪的老师庄士敦。 庄士敦是英国人，做为溥仪的英文老师，庄士敦给溥仪讲授了很多西方的思想，科学等知识。是一位能够影响溥仪思想的人。据说清帝国结束后，有人劝说溥仪剪掉鞭子，都被溥仪拒绝。而庄士敦说了一句，皇帝的辫子看起来像猪尾巴，溥仪就立即把辫子剪掉了。庄士敦和溥仪的感情非常深厚。1924年溥仪被逐出紫禁城后，庄士敦也回到了英国，他写了一本著名的小说，就是紫禁城的黄昏，成为当时的热销书。而庄士敦也对民国政府充满了愤怒，他指责民国政府不讲信义，他用了卖书的钱，在苏格兰买了一座小岛，在那里他升起了大清帝国的国旗，来表达他对溥仪的思念，对清帝国的忠诚。1838年庄士敦在苏格兰去世。庄士敦对中国文化有深入的了解，他反对西方人对中国的掠夺，他支持中国进行改革，但反对推翻皇室。从这个角度上讲，庄士敦是一位在中国那段苦难岁月的西方友人。
解释回答：大家猜的对，照片里面中间这位年轻人，就是末代皇帝溥仪。但是旁边有一个西方人，这个人我要特别给大家介绍一下，他就是溥仪的老师庄士敦。 庄士敦是英国人，做为溥仪的英文老师，庄士敦给溥仪讲授了很多西方的思想，科学等知识。是一位能够影响溥仪思想的人。据说清帝国结束后，有人劝说溥仪剪掉鞭子，都被溥仪拒绝。而庄士敦说了一句，皇帝的辫子看起来像猪尾巴，溥仪就立即把辫子剪掉了。庄士敦和溥仪的感情非常深厚。1924年溥仪被逐出紫禁城后，庄士敦也回到了英国，他写了一本著名的小说，就是紫禁城的黄昏，成为当时的热销书。而庄士敦也对民国政府充满了愤怒，他指责民国政府不讲信义，他用了卖书的钱，在苏格兰买了一座小岛，在那里他升起了大清帝国的国旗，来表达他对溥仪的思念，对清帝国的忠诚。1838年庄士敦在苏格兰去世。庄士敦对中国文化有深入的了解，他反对西方人对中国的掠夺，他支持中国进行改革，但反对推翻皇室。从这个角度上讲，庄士敦是一位在中国那段苦难岁月的西方友人。
Everyone guessed right! the young man in the middle of the photo was the last emperor Puyi. But there was a Westerner next to him. I want to introduce this person to you. He is Puyi's teacher Johnston. Johnston was an Englishman. As Puyi's English teacher, Johnston taught Puyi a lot of Western thought, science and other knowledge. He was a person who could influence Puyi's thinking. It is said that after the end of the Qing Empire, some people tried to persuade Puyi to cut off his whip, but Puyi refused. When Johnston said that the emperor's braids looked like pig tails, Puyi immediately cut them off. Johnston and Puyi had a very deep relationship. After Puyi was expelled from the Forbidden City in 1924, Johnston also returned to the UK. He wrote a famous novel, Twilight in the Forbidden City, which became a best-seller at the time. Johnston was also full of anger towards the Republic of China government. He accused the Republic of China government of being unfaithful. He used the money from selling books to buy an island in Scotland, where he raised the flag of the Qing Empire to express his missing to emperor Puyi and loyalty to the Qing Empire. Johnston died in Scotland in 1838. Johnston had a deep understanding of Chinese culture. He opposed Westerners' plunder of China. He supported China's reforms, but opposed the overthrow of the royal family. From this perspective, Johnston is a Western friend to Chinese during those difficult years.