Puyi

Reign: 1908 – 1912; 1917 – 1917
Life: 1906–1967

After the war, he was held as a war criminal in the Soviet Union and China until 1959, when the Chinese Communist Party granted him amnesty and presented him as a model of successful reeducation. Following the Xinhai Revolution, Empress Dowager Longyu signed the abdication edict on Puyi's behalf; in return, the Articles of Favorable Treatment allowed him to retain his imperial title and remain in the Forbidden City. After his release in 1959, Puyi published an autobiography (ghostwritten by Li Wenda) under pressure from the communist government and worked as a gardener before becoming a researcher at the Central Research Institute of Culture and History. He was protected by Zhou Enlai during the Cultural Revolution, and died in 1967 without issue.

During Puyi's reign, Wilhelmina of the Netherlands ruled Netherlands, Wilhelm II ruled Prussia, and Franz Joseph I of Austria ruled Austria.

The World During Their Reign

The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.

Meanwhile in history

One “meanwhile in history” story each week: who ruled where, and what was happening on thrones across the world.

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