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Dowager Empress Cixi, who effectively ruled China from 1861 until her death in 1908, is known for her significant influence on the Qing dynasty during a tumultuous period. She oversaw the Self-Strengthening Movement, which aimed to modernize China's military and industrial capacity, and she supported various reforms, including the establishment of modern education and infrastructure. Cixi also played a crucial role in navigating foreign pressures, particularly during events like the Boxer Rebellion, where she initially supported anti-foreign sentiments but later sought to stabilize the country through diplomacy. Despite criticisms for her conservative stance, her reign marked a complex interplay of modernization efforts and traditional governance.
