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| − | The Taiping Rebellion was a rebellion in 1850 led by [[Hong Xiuquan]]. Its goal was to get rid of British Opium and a "Heavenly Kingdom of Great Peace". | + | The '''Taiping Rebellion''' was a rebellion in 1850 led by [[Hong Xiuquan]], who had received a Christian upbringing. Its goal was to overthrow the Chinese [[Qing Dynasty]] and replace it with a "Heavenly Kingdom of Great Peace". The rebellion enjoyed widespread initial success, causing massive destruction throughout much of southern and central China and capturing many major cities. |
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| | + | Although an appeal for an alliance with their fellow Christians was made to the British and French forces engaged against Chinese imperial forces at the same time in the [[Opium War]], no serious thought was given to such an alliance by the Europeans. |
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| | + | Tens of millions of people are believed to have died as a consequence of the Taiping Rebellion, both as a result of fighting and the capture of cities, with no prisoners being taken by either side, and through the [[famine]]s resulting from the devastation of the Chinese countryside. |
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| | [[Category:China]] | | [[Category:China]] |
| | + | [[Category:Wars]] |