Question 1 · Data-based
20 marks**Source A**
'Since ancient times, the Three Dukes discussed the Dao, and the Six Ministers divided their duties... Since the First Emperor of Qin established the Prime Minister, the dynasty collapsed in no time. The Han, Tang, and Song dynasties followed this system; although there were virtuous ministers, there were also many petty men who monopolized power and disrupted the administration. Now, our dynasty has abolished the Prime Minister and set up the Five Military Commissions and Six Departments... all matters are directed by the court. In the future, when my descendants become emperors, they are absolutely not allowed to establish a Prime Minister. If any minister dares to memorialize to request its establishment, civil and military officials shall immediately impeach them, and the offender shall be executed by lingering death, with their entire family put to death.'
—— Adapted from *Ancestral Instructions of the August Ming* (Huangming Zuxun)
**Source B**
'During the Yongzheng reign, due to military campaigns in the northwest, the Military Chamber (Junji Fang) was first established, later renamed the Grand Council (Junji Chu). Its staff were all personally selected by the emperor, had no permanent offices of their own, and held concurrent titles as princes, Grand Secretaries of the Grand Secretariat, or ministers and vice-ministers of the Six Departments. The key features of the Grand Council were "speed" and "secrecy". The emperor's decrees were directly sent confidentially by the Grand Councillors to local governors-general and governors, bypassing the Grand Secretariat and Six Departments. This institution had neither a formal government office nor independent authority; it listened solely to the emperor's commands. Although it improved administrative efficiency, it also reduced court officials to mere execution tools, bringing imperial autocracy to its peak.'
—— Adapted from a modern scholar's commentary on the Qing Grand Council
**Questions**
(a) According to Source A, identify the historical reason given by Ming Taizu for abolishing the Prime Ministership, and state the severe punishment he decreed for any descendant or minister who proposed to re-establish it. (4 marks)
(b) According to Source B, identify the background of the establishment of the Grand Council and explain how it embodied the characteristics of "speed" and "secrecy". (4 marks)
(c) "The abolition of the Prime Ministership in the Ming dynasty and the establishment of the Grand Council in the Qing dynasty both pushed imperial autocracy to an unprecedented height, but they also brought severe consequences to the long-term development of Chinese politics."
Based on the sources and your historical knowledge, explain the differences between the Ming and Qing dynasties in achieving imperial centralization, and evaluate the negative impacts of this extreme autocracy on national politics. (12 marks)
'Since ancient times, the Three Dukes discussed the Dao, and the Six Ministers divided their duties... Since the First Emperor of Qin established the Prime Minister, the dynasty collapsed in no time. The Han, Tang, and Song dynasties followed this system; although there were virtuous ministers, there were also many petty men who monopolized power and disrupted the administration. Now, our dynasty has abolished the Prime Minister and set up the Five Military Commissions and Six Departments... all matters are directed by the court. In the future, when my descendants become emperors, they are absolutely not allowed to establish a Prime Minister. If any minister dares to memorialize to request its establishment, civil and military officials shall immediately impeach them, and the offender shall be executed by lingering death, with their entire family put to death.'
—— Adapted from *Ancestral Instructions of the August Ming* (Huangming Zuxun)
**Source B**
'During the Yongzheng reign, due to military campaigns in the northwest, the Military Chamber (Junji Fang) was first established, later renamed the Grand Council (Junji Chu). Its staff were all personally selected by the emperor, had no permanent offices of their own, and held concurrent titles as princes, Grand Secretaries of the Grand Secretariat, or ministers and vice-ministers of the Six Departments. The key features of the Grand Council were "speed" and "secrecy". The emperor's decrees were directly sent confidentially by the Grand Councillors to local governors-general and governors, bypassing the Grand Secretariat and Six Departments. This institution had neither a formal government office nor independent authority; it listened solely to the emperor's commands. Although it improved administrative efficiency, it also reduced court officials to mere execution tools, bringing imperial autocracy to its peak.'
—— Adapted from a modern scholar's commentary on the Qing Grand Council
**Questions**
(a) According to Source A, identify the historical reason given by Ming Taizu for abolishing the Prime Ministership, and state the severe punishment he decreed for any descendant or minister who proposed to re-establish it. (4 marks)
(b) According to Source B, identify the background of the establishment of the Grand Council and explain how it embodied the characteristics of "speed" and "secrecy". (4 marks)
(c) "The abolition of the Prime Ministership in the Ming dynasty and the establishment of the Grand Council in the Qing dynasty both pushed imperial autocracy to an unprecedented height, but they also brought severe consequences to the long-term development of Chinese politics."
Based on the sources and your historical knowledge, explain the differences between the Ming and Qing dynasties in achieving imperial centralization, and evaluate the negative impacts of this extreme autocracy on national politics. (12 marks)