Answer: Empress Dowager Cixi's decision to overthrow Emperor Guangxu and end his reforms was a complex and multi-faceted issue that had its roots in the declining power of the Qing dynasty, economic pressures, and political infighting.
In the late 19th century, China was facing mounting economic and social problems, including a trade imbalance with Western powers, a growing opium epidemic, and widespread poverty and unemployment. These issues were exacerbated by the Qing dynasty's refusal to modernize and implement reforms, which had left the country increasingly vulnerable to foreign influence and exploitation.
Emperor Guangxu, who ascended to the throne in 1875 at the age of four, recognized the urgent need for reform and began a series of ambitious modernization efforts known as the Hundred Days' Reform in 1898. However, his reforms were met with resistance from conservative members of the imperial court, who feared that modernization would erode their power and influence.
Empress Dowager Cixi, who had previously retired from political life but maintained significant influence over the imperial court, saw Emperor Guangxu's reforms as a threat to her own power and authority. In a palace coup, she deposed the emperor, placed him under house arrest, and ended his reforms.
While the exact reasons for Empress Dowager Cixi's decision to overthrow Emperor Guangxu are debated among historians, it is clear that her actions were driven by a desire to preserve her own power and maintain the status quo, rather than enact significant reforms to address China's pressing social and economic problems.