Puyi, the last Emperor of China, was born on February 7, 1906, and became the ruler of the vast Chinese empire after the death of the Guangxu Emperor on November 14, 1908. His ascension to the throne at such a young age was both unprecedented and significant. The Qing dynasty, which had ruled for nearly three centuries, was already facing numerous challenges, including internal revolts and pressures from foreign powers. The selection of a two-year-old boy as emperor was largely ceremonial, as the real power was maintained by the empress dowager, Cixi, who effectively ruled the empire until her death later in December 1908.

Cixi's decision to install Puyi was influenced by the desire to project continuity of the imperial lineage and to placate factions within the court. This moment marked a significant turning point as it indicated the fragility and instability of the Qing dynasty during a period where modernization and reform were desperately needed. The young emperor was raised in the confines of the Forbidden City, and his limited role in government ultimately rendered him a puppet of the ruling elites.

Puyi's reign was marked by rapid change in Chinese society, which was increasingly influenced by Western ideologies and the rising tide of republicanism. The Wuchang Uprising, which would occur in 1911, would ultimately lead to the downfall of the imperial system, leaving Puyi to navigate the turbulent waters of early 20th-century China as the last figurehead of a once-mighty dynasty.