The Taiping Rebellion, also known as the Taiping Civil War or the Taiping Revolution, was a massive civil war in China between the Manchu-led Qing dynasty and the Hakka-led Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. It lasted from 1850 until the fall of Tianjing in 1864, although the last rebel army was not wiped out until August 1871. The conflict resulted in approximately 20 million deaths. The established Qing government won decisively, although at a great price to its fiscal and political structure.
The Xianfeng Emperor, or by temple name Emperor Wenzong of Qing (清文宗), given name Aisin-Gioro Yizhu (奕詝), was the eighth emperor of the Qing dynasty, and the seventh Qing emperor to rule over China proper, reigned from 1850 to 1861. During his reign, the Qing dynasty experienced several wars and rebellions including the Taiping Rebellion, Nian Rebellion, and Second Opium War. He was the last Chinese emperor to exercise sole power. After his death, the Qing government came under the control of Empress Dowager Cixi.
The Nian Rebellion was an armed uprising that took place in northern China from 1851 to 1868, contemporaneously with Taiping Rebellion (1851–1864) in South China. The rebellion failed to topple the Qing dynasty, but caused immense economic devastation and loss of life that became major long-term factors in the collapse of the Qing regime in the early 20th century.
Zongdu, usually translated as Viceroy, Head of State or Governor-General, governed one territory or more provinces of China during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Zhang Lexing was a Chinese guerrilla leader during the Nian Rebellion in China.
Sengge Rinchen or Senggelinqin was a Mongol nobleman and general who served under the Qing dynasty during the reigns of the Daoguang, Xianfeng and Tongzhi emperors. He is best known for his role at the Battle of Taku Forts and at the Battle of Baliqiao during the Second Opium War and his contributions in helping the Qing Empire suppress the Taiping and Nian rebellions.
Lai Wenguang, born in Mei County, Guangdong, and later worked in Guangxi, was an eminent military leader of the Taiping Rebellion and Nian Rebellion, and known during his military tenure as the King of Zun (遵王). He served under Hong Xiuquan's Taiping Administration, and was Hong Xiuquan's wife young brother. He led Taiping forces to many military victories. Lai became the leader of Eastern Nian Army in 1866. In June 1865, he commanded Nian cavalry forces of 90,000 in surrounding and attacking the capital Beijing, nearly successfully. Lai surrendered to Qing forces on January 5, 1868. He was executed by Li Hongzhang after interrogation in February.
Ren Zhu, born in Mengcheng Anhui, China, was an eminent military leader of the Nien Rebellion who was known during his military tenure as the King of Lu (魯王). He led Nien (捻軍) forces to many military victories. Li Hongzhang praised Ren Zhu's ability to command hundreds of thousands of cavalry. In May 1865, during a campaign against the Qing in Shandong, he shot the Qing general Sengge Rinchen during the Battle of Gaolouzhai, which sent a shock to the Qing Dynasty and resulted in the promotion of field marshal Zeng Guofan to commander of the Huai Army, Li Hongzhang.
The Battle of Jiangnan (1860), also known as the Second rout of the Jiangnan Battalion was a battle between the Qing government's Green Standard Army and the army of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom during the Taiping Rebellion. The Green Standard Army twice attempted to besiege Nanjing, capital of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, but was unable to break through. To break the siege of Nanjing, the Taiping forces maneuvered to divert Qing forces by sacking Hangzhou, before quickly moving back to Nanjing to counter-encircle the Qing siege forces and routing the Green Standard Army garrison completely, breaking the siege of Nanjing.
The Battle of Shanghai (太平軍二攻上海) was a major engagement of the Taiping Rebellion that occurred from June 1861 to July 1862. British and French troops used modern artillery on a large scale for the first time in China. Cannon fire inflicted heavy casualties on the Taiping forces, whose commander Li Xiucheng was wounded in the left leg by a shot fired from a cannon.
The Battle of Guanzhong occurred during the Taiping Revolution that took place in October 1861. When Taiping's Western Army was defeated at Wuhan, they lost their connection with their capital of Nanjing. Former Western Army Commander Chen Yucheng then decided to resupply at Guanzhong. Some of their soldiers were troops who once fought for the Nian Rebellion, so Yucheng decided not to provide them with supplies, as he was uncertain of their loyalty.
The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom (1851–1864) was a Chinese Christian theocratic absolute monarchy which sought to overthrow the Qing dynasty. The Heavenly Kingdom or Heavenly Dynasty, was led by King Hong Xiuquan and his followers. Its capital was at Tianjing. The unsuccessful war it waged against the Qing is known as the Taiping Rebellion.
The Miao rebellion of 1854–1873, also known as the Qian rebellion was an uprising of ethnic Miao and other groups in Guizhou province during the reign of the Qing dynasty. Despite its name, Robert Jenks estimates that ethnic Miao made up less than half of the uprising's participants. The uprising was preceded by Miao rebellions in 1735–36 and 1795–1806, and was one of many ethnic uprisings sweeping China in the 19th century. The rebellion spanned the Xianfeng and Tongzhi periods of the Qing dynasty, and was eventually suppressed with military force. Estimates place the number of casualties as high as 4.9 million out of a total population of 7 million, though these figures are likely overstated.
Events from the year 1860 in China.
The Northern Expedition was a failed campaign by the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom against the Qing dynasty during the Taiping Rebellion. Its purpose was to capture Beijing and then complete an encirclement of northern and western China. Launched in May 1853, the Northern Expedition would travel from Jiangsu to Zhili before being destroyed in early 1855.
Zhang Zhiwan(Chinese: 張之萬, 1811–1897), courtesy name Ziqing(子青), art name Luanpo(鑾坡), was a Qing dynasty statesman and painter. He was the cousin of another prominent late Qing politician Zhang Zhidong.
Events from the year 1856 in China.
Events from the year 1855 in China.
Events from the year 1865 in China.
