What do you mean by buffer?

A buffer region is an administrative organization and local organization form in ancient China, which was used to manage frontier areas or control local forces. , the relevant contents are as follows:

1. Origin and definition

The buffer region first appeared in the Tang Dynasty. At first, it refers to the military ruling institutions established in border areas to resist foreign enemies. Later, the buffer region gradually evolved into a relatively independent local administrative unit, and the rulers had certain autonomy, but they were still supervised and controlled by the central government.

2. Border defense and stability

The main function of the buffer zone is to maintain national security and stability in border areas. Because border areas are often threatened by foreign invasion and ethnic rebellion, the central government has set up buffer zones to strengthen control and defense of border areas, so as to effectively manage these areas.

3. Economic development and local autonomy

Buffer area is not only an administrative organization, but also a local organization form. In some places, the rulers of buffer regions actively promote economic development, build water conservancy projects, set up schools, and promote the development of agriculture and commerce. At the same time, the buffer region also has certain autonomy, and can formulate local policies and manage local affairs.

4. Buffer problems and fading

With the passage of time, the buffer system has also exposed some problems. Some buffer region rulers began to abuse their power and exploit farmers, which led to social instability. In addition, the independence of the buffer region is often opposed to the central government, leading to political division and local separatism.

5. Centralization and the abolition of the buffer region system.

With the development of China's history, especially in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the central government gradually strengthened the control and centralization of local governments and abolished the buffer region system. In this process, some buffer areas were cancelled or integrated, and local administration was gradually brought under the direct jurisdiction of the central government.

Expand knowledge:

The buffer region system appeared and disappeared many times in the history of China, which can be traced back to the Northern Wei Dynasty and was finally abolished in the late Qing Dynasty.

Some famous buffer zones include Wuning Army of Yue Fei and Dashun Army of Li Zicheng. They had relatively independent local forces in a certain period of time and had an important influence on history.

The abolition of the buffer region system marks the change of political structure in the history of China, and also reflects the trend of the central government to strengthen the unification and centralization of local governments.