A. The fall of the Ming1. The major factors of Ming collapse•Political decline at court•Weakening of the military system•financial bankruptcy

2. Rebellions and Social Unrest•External threats•Rebellions

B. Court politics: Eunuchs and literati1. The formal structure of Ming government2. The personal staff of the emperor: Eunuchs3. Eunuch and court politics

C. The rise of the Manchus1. Origins - Who were the Manchus?2. Nurhaci (1559-1626): forging a Manchu polity•The Aisin Gioro clan 愛新覺羅•Organization building•Hosoi beile 和碩貝勒•War against the Ming

3. Abahai/ Huangtaiji (1592-1643): building an empire

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