How Did Empress Dowager Cixi Influence China?

How Did Empress Dowager Cixi Influence China? Cixi’s modernizing accomplishments included banning foot-binding, reforming the legal code and the education system, and outlawing certain barbaric punishments. According to Chang, Cixi sought to transform China into a constitutional monarchy, an effort cut short by her death in 1908 at age 72. Why is Empress Cixi important?