Academic Research Booklet

Introduction To get top marks for the introduction you must ensure you cover all ten points, use the example below as a guide. Pay close attention to how long the response to each prompt is, background information for example is only one sentence, whereas reasoning and methodology both have two to three sentences. Your introduction should be no more than 500 words, the example given on these pages is 453 words. EE ONLY Question : To what extent did Empress Cixi contribute to the modernisation of China in the period 1861 to 1908? 1. Introduce the topic The late Qing Dynasty was a period of profound political, social, and economic challenge for China. 2. Explain the significance of the topic Faced with internal rebellions, foreign imperial pressure, and military defeats, China was increasingly forced to confront the weaknesses of its traditional political structures. As Western powers expanded their influence in East Asia, the need for reform and modernisation became unavoidable, leading to a series of attempts to strengthen the state and preserve dynastic rule. 3. Provide necessary background / context One of the most influential figures during this period was Empress Dowager Cixi, who effectively controlled the Qing government for much of the period between 1861 and her death in 1908. 4. Narrow the focus Despite her central role in Chinese politics, Cixi has often been portrayed in historical accounts as conservative, power ‑ hungry, and hostile to reform. 5. Show awareness that the issue is debated / interpreted in different ways Traditional narratives frequently depict her as an obstacle to China’s modernisation, particularly when contrasted with reformers or later revolutionary figures. However, recent historical scholarship has begun to question this interpretation, suggesting that her role may have been more complex.