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The Taiping Rebellion and consequent civil war took place in [[China]] between 1850 and 1864. It is believed to have been the most destructive civil war in history, causing up to 60 million deaths.

The '''Taiping Rebellion''' and consequent civil war took place in [[China]] between 1850 and 1864. It is believed to have been the most destructive civil war in history, causing up to 60 million deaths.

== Origins of the Taiping Movement ==

== Origins of the Taiping Movement ==

By the mid 19th century the [[Qing]] dynasty was facing severe internal and external pressure. Rural discontent led to an increase in secret society activity, among bodiies such as the White Lotus Society, the Small Sword Society, the Society of Elders and Brothers (Gelaohui), and the Triads in the south. Features of this activity included egalitarianism (primitive communism), a membership drawn from peasantry and poor artisans, cult worship, and xenophobia - towards the ethnic-Manchu dynastyu as well as foreigners. A common slogan was ''Fan Qing fu Ming'' - 'Overthrow the Qing, restore the Ming'. Peasant uprisings were increasing in number in the early decades of the century, and, in south China, tensions were rising between local Chinese and Hakka people - ethnic Chinese who had migrated from north to south China centuries before, but who had never fully integrated.

By the mid 19th century the [[Qing]] dynasty was facing severe internal and external pressure. Rural discontent led to an increase in secret society activity, among bodies such as the White Lotus Society, the Small Sword Society, the Society of Elders and Brothers (Gelaohui), and the Triads in the south. Features of this activity included egalitarianism (primitive communism), a membership drawn from peasantry and poor artisans, cult worship, and xenophobia - towards the ethnic-Manchu dynasty as well as foreigners. A common slogan was ''Fan Qing fu Ming'' - 'Overthrow the Qing, restore the Ming'. Peasant uprisings were increasing in number in the early decades of the century, and, in south China, tensions were rising between local Chinese and Hakka people - ethnic Chinese who had migrated from north to south China centuries before, but who had never fully integrated.

== Hong Xiuquan and the outbreak of the Taiping Rebellion ==

== Hong Xiuquan and the outbreak of the Taiping Rebellion ==

This was ostensibly an ethical code of conduct, and bears some similarities to the 'Rules of Conduct' decreed for the Red Army in the 1930s and 1940s:  

This was ostensibly an ethical code of conduct, and bears some similarities to the 'Rules of Conduct' decreed for the Red Army in the 1930s and 1940s:  

*1. Obey decrees and orders (including Heavenly laws and commands)

# Obey decrees and orders (including Heavenly laws and commands)

*2. Separate men's and women's regiments

# Separate men's and women's regiments

*3. Forbid the slightest violation of the people's interests

# Forbid the slightest violation of the people's interests

*4. Be selfless and friendly and obey chiefs

# Be selfless and friendly and obey chiefs

*5. Be co-operative and never retreat in battle.

# Be co-operative and never retreat in battle.

The Taiping espoused the equality of women (a revolutionary development in Imperial China) and abolished customs such as [[foot binding]].

The Taiping espoused the equality of women (a revolutionary development in Imperial China) and abolished customs such as [[foot binding]].

== Elements of Taiping success ==

== Elements of Taiping success ==

The Taiping army had a strong central core of efficient soldiers, largely of the Zhuang nationality. It was able to play upon Han Chinese resentment of 'foreign' (Manchu) rule, and Taiping nationalism was symbolised by the establishment of their capital at Nanjing (and by abolition of the servile 'queue', or pigtail). They were supported on their march north by spontaneous peasant risings, accompanied by the burning of land ownership deeds and the killing of landlords. The millenarian monotheistic ideology of the Taiping movement gave cohesion to the movement (but the destruction of Confucian temples, family shrines etc alienated many).

The Taiping army had a strong central core of efficient soldiers, largely of the Zhuang nationality. It was able to play upon Han Chinese resentment of 'foreign' (Manchu) rule, and Taiping nationalism was symbolized by the establishment of their capital at Nanjing (and by abolition of the servile 'queue', or pigtail). They were supported on their march north by spontaneous peasant risings, accompanied by the burning of land ownership deeds and the killing of landlords. The millenarian monotheistic ideology of the Taiping movement gave cohesion to the movement (but the destruction of Confucian temples, family shrines etc alienated many).

== Taiping rule ==

== Taiping rule ==

The Taiping form of government was ostensibly, and initially, egalitarian, applying a primitive communism. No wages were paid, no private property allowed. Artisans were organised into 'Heavenly Battalions' whose products went to the state. Land was allotted to the peasants, but surpluses were taken by the state. It was puritanical, with opium, gambling, and prostitution banned. It adopted a progressive approach to women. Women could take examinations, serve in the army, and were entitled to the same education as men. Foot-binding was abolished. The Taiping had a positive attitude to 'foreign brothers' (and supposed fellow Christians); but suffered disappointment as the foreign powers rejected such Taiping advances as were made, and, after the Second Opium War (1857-60) the powers consciously lent support to the Qing.

The Taiping form of government was ostensibly, and initially, egalitarian, applying a primitive communism. No wages were paid, no private property allowed. Artisans were organized into 'Heavenly Battalions' whose products went to the state. Land was allotted to the peasants, but surpluses were taken by the state. It was puritanical, with opium, gambling, and prostitution banned. It adopted a progressive approach to women. Women could take examinations, serve in the army, and were entitled to the same education as men. Foot-binding was abolished. The Taiping had a positive attitude to 'foreign brothers' (and supposed fellow Christians); but suffered disappointment as the foreign powers rejected such Taiping advances as were made, and, after the Second Opium War (1857-60) the powers consciously lent support to the Qing.

The Taiping state was ruled by six kings: the Heavenly King (Hong Xiuquan) was assisted by Eastern, Northern, Southern and Western Kings, and Assistant King Shi Dakai.

The Taiping state was ruled by six kings: the Heavenly King (Hong Xiuquan) was assisted by Eastern, Northern, Southern and Western Kings, and Assistant King Shi Dakai.

== Reasons for Taiping decline ==

== Reasons for Taiping decline ==

According to the eminent sinologist J.K. Fairbank, the Taiping were “inept and ill-directed” They failed to hold on to territories that they occupied while advancing north. They failed to finish off the Qing in 1852 following the fall of Nanjing, while the regime was on its knees. They failed to establish early and adequate contact with foreign powers presenting themselves as an attractive and supportable alternative to the Qing. They alienated the gentry and administrative classes by their anti-Confucian iconoclasm, thus depriving themselves of effective administrators. Poor strategic direction and inept generalship led to the division of their forces in 1853-4. The court became increasingly paranoid and prone to purges and internal bloodshed, while at the same time eaglitarianism was abandooned and the rulers gave themselves up to luxury, corruption and debauchery.  

According to the eminent sinologist J.K. Fairbank, the Taiping were “inept and ill-directed” They failed to hold on to territories that they occupied while advancing north. They failed to finish off the Qing in 1852 following the fall of Nanjing, while the regime was on its knees. They failed to establish early and adequate contact with foreign powers presenting themselves as an attractive and supportable alternative to the Qing. They alienated the gentry and administrative classes by their anti-Confucian iconoclasm, thus depriving themselves of effective administrators. Poor strategic direction and inept generalship led to the division of their forces in 1853-4. The court became increasingly paranoid and prone to purges and internal bloodshed, while at the same time egalitarianism was abandoned and the rulers gave themselves up to luxury, corruption and debauchery.  

At the same time the Qing authorities were developing a more flexible response to the threats they faced.

At the same time the Qing authorities were developing a more flexible response to the threats they faced.

Traditional Chinese 'Green Banner' regular forces had proved useless against the Taiping. The brunt of the considerable fighting was by  militias, Manchu Banner forces and the 'new armies' of Zeng and Li. The success of these regional armies, together with the devolution of responsibility to provinces, and the collection by the provinces of a new tax (''lijin'') on goods transported, was to have major long-term  implications for China.

Traditional Chinese 'Green Banner' regular forces had proved useless against the Taiping. The brunt of the considerable fighting was by  militias, Manchu Banner forces and the 'new armies' of Zeng and Li. The success of these regional armies, together with the devolution of responsibility to provinces, and the collection by the provinces of a new tax (''lijin'') on goods transported, was to have major long-term  implications for China.

== The 'Ever Vicctorious Army' and 'Chinese Gordon' ==

== The "Ever Victorious Army" and "Chinese Gordon" ==

In 1860 Chinese Shanghai merchants financed a private militia, the Shanghai Foreign Arms Corps led by the American adventurer Frederick Townsend Ward (d 1862). This initially employed Western troops, but was increasingly Chinese (with western officers); after achieving some scuuesses it was renamed the 'Ever Victorious Army'. British and French troops were also stationed in the Shanghai area and active against the Taiping. Following Ward's death, and an unsatisfactory American replacement, the Imperial authorities requested the British to second an officer to the Ever Victorious Army. [[Charles Gordon]] was sent, and led the Ever Victorious Army with some success, including the capture of Suzhou in Nov 1863. The Ever Victorious Army was disbanded in 1864. However, the actions of Gordon and his troops were peripheral to the main conflict, which involved vast Chinese armies, and ended with the siege and storming of Nanjing in 1864.

In 1860 Chinese Shanghai merchants financed a private militia, the Shanghai Foreign Arms Corps led by the American adventurer Frederick Townsend Ward (d 1862). This initially employed Western troops, but was increasingly Chinese (with western officers); after achieving some successes it was renamed the 'Ever Victorious Army'. British and French troops were also stationed in the Shanghai area and active against the Taiping. Following Ward's death, and an unsatisfactory American replacement, the Imperial authorities requested the British to second an officer to the Ever Victorious Army. [[Charles Gordon]] was sent, and led the Ever Victorious Army with some success, including the capture of Suzhou in Nov 1863. The Ever Victorious Army was disbanded in 1864. However, the actions of Gordon and his troops were peripheral to the main conflict, which involved vast Chinese armies, and ended with the siege and storming of Nanjing in 1864.

 

[[Category:Chinese History]]

[[Category:China]]

[[Category:Wars]]

[[Category:Wars]]