Discuss the successes and failures of Emperor Qianlong’s rule.

Candidates are required to offer a considered and balanced review of the successes and failures of Emperor Qianlong’s rule. They may discuss the string of military successes at the beginning of his rule that, for example, enabled the formation of the “New Territory” of Xinjiang, while pointing out that the latter years of his rule were militarily less successful. There may be discussion of Qianlong’s patronage of the arts, including his huge collection of paintings, calligraphy, porcelain and cloisonnerie, which promoted a flowering of Chinese culture, despite large-scale censorship. The increasing elitism that characterized his government in later years, and the corruption centred on the youthful favourite Heshen, may be considered failures as may the widespread revolts that, although defeated, symbolized discontent with imperial rule.