Empress Dowager Cixi's coup ends the Hundred Days' Reform

Background. The Guangxu Emperor launched the Hundred Days' Reform in June 1898, issuing edicts for sweeping political and social changes. This movement was driven by the emperor's desire to reverse the Qing dynasty's decline following foreign humiliations. However, these reforms faced strong opposition from conservative factions within the court, setting the stage for a political confrontation with Empress Dowager Cixi.

Coup Execution. Empress Dowager Cixi, supported by conservatives and armed forces, staged a coup d'état in September 1898. The action forced the emperor under house arrest and resulted in the execution of six leading reformers. The coup effectively ended the reform movement and allowed Cixi to take over the government, marking a decisive shift in power back to the conservative establishment.

Aftermath. Following the coup, the Guangxu Emperor was confined to Yingtai Island at Zhongnanhai for the remainder of his life. His health declined shortly after the reform's collapse, prompting Cixi to name a new heir presumptive. The event solidified Cixi's control, though historical debate persists regarding the specific immediate triggers and the ultimate fate of the imprisoned emperor.