Han in north east China,Manchuria

Zoopiter · Jan 21, 2013

As we already know, Manchuria is originally home of non Sinitic people. However, today, majority of Manchuria population consists of ethnic Han Chinese. From what I read so far, there are two major reasons why this happen.

1) Manchu assimilated into ethnic Han Chinese
2) Chuang Guangdong where huge migration of ethnic Han Chinese from other parts of China into Manchuria.

How many Han Chinese in north east China(Manchuria) today are actually immigrants from other parts of China(Chuang Guangdong) and how many others are actually of Manchu descendent(in term of percentage)? Did most Manchu who at first assimilate into Han Chinese reveal their Manchu ancestry when Manchu recognized as one of ethnic minorities or most Manchu descendant still hide it and register as Han?

Cerberus · Jan 25, 2013

The Manchu population was never that large. Studies give counts of around 1.5 to 2.5 million at the beginning of the Qing, and this includes all three banners - Manchu, Mongol, Chinese, and bondservants. There were indeed Manchus who assimilated into the Han during the course of the Qing. However, given the initial population, a 10-fold growth of that initial population still only gives about 15-25 million people, and this includes Mongols and Han who later reverted to being Mongol / Han. Thus, Manchu assimilation does not explain the bulk of the population of Northeast China.

Consequently, I believe a better answer to your question is to look at the effects of Chuang Guandong and that of earlier populations in Northeast China that were not Manchu. Unfortunately, the latter is poorly documented, and records refer to the area as being underpopulated before the modern period, which translates to saying that there is no definitive data. The Northeastern Chinese themselves believe that they are the descendants of Chuang Guandong migrants.

Consult Rhoads and Elliott for the demographic data I'm using.

Zoopiter · Jan 27, 2013

Cerberus said:
The Manchu population was never that large. Studies give counts of around 1.5 to 2.5 million at the beginning of the Qing, and this includes all three banners - Manchu, Mongol, Chinese, and bondservants. There were indeed Manchus who assimilated into the Han during the course of the Qing. However, given the initial population, a 10-fold growth of that initial population still only gives about 15-25 million people, and this includes Mongols and Han who later reverted to being Mongol / Han. Thus, Manchu assimilation does not explain the bulk of the population of Northeast China.

Consequently, I believe a better answer to your question is to look at the effects of Chuang Guandong and that of earlier populations in Northeast China that were not Manchu. Unfortunately, the latter is poorly documented, and records refer to the area as being underpopulated before the modern period, which translates to saying that there is no definitive data. The Northeastern Chinese themselves believe that they are the descendants of Chuang Guandong migrants.

Consult Rhoads and Elliott for the demographic data I'm using.

What about the number of Manchu population during late Qing in Manchuria before Manchu cut their link with their banners and took on Han-style names and before the Chuang Guangdong?

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Han in north east China,Manchuria

Zoopiter

Cerberus

Zoopiter

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