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Taiping Rebellion
Naval battle between Taiping-Qing on Yangtze.jpg
Battle of the Yangtze
Date December 1850 – August 1864
Location
Result Victory by the Qing Dynasty
Fall of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom
Weakening of the Qing Dynasty
Belligerents

Qing Dynasty Later stages:
United Kingdom United Kingdom

France France
Taiping Heavenly Kingdom
Commanders and leaders

Qing Dynasty Xianfeng Emperor
Qing Dynasty Tongzhi Emperor
Qing Dynasty Empress Dowager Cixi
Qing Dynasty Zeng Guofan
Qing Dynasty Sengge Rinchen
Zuo Zongtang
United Kingdom Charles George Gordon
United States Frederick Townsend Ward 

Qing Dynasty Guam Wing

Hong Xiuquan 
Yang Xiuqing
Xiao Chaogui 
Feng Yunshan 
Wei Changhui 
Shi Dakai 
Li Xiucheng 

United States Henry Andres Burgevine 
Strength
2,000,000–5,000,000 regulars
~340,000 militia
1,000,000–3,000,000 regulars 100,000 female regulars
Casualties and losses
Over 50,000 soldiers killed Around 75,000 soldiers killed
Total Dead~20,000,000 including civilians and soldiers (best estimate)

The Taiping Rebellion was a huge civil war in China. It lasted from 1850 to 1864. A man named Hong Xiuquan led this rebellion. His goal was to overthrow the ruling Qing Dynasty. This war was one of the deadliest in history. Around 20 million people died, most of whom were ordinary citizens.

Hong's group created the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. At its strongest, about 30 million people were part of it. The rebels wanted to change society in big ways. Their troops were often called the "Long Hair" (長毛, cháng máo). This was because they wore their hair loose, unlike the Qing soldiers who wore pigtails.

How the Taiping Rebellion Started

Taiping2
The Taiping Rebellion at its greatest power

Hong Xiuquan was a very smart student. He hoped to get a job in the government. He studied hard for the important government tests. However, he found out that officials often expected bribes to pass candidates. Hong's family was poor and could not afford to pay.

Hong believed his failure was due to the corrupt Manchu Qing dynasty. Soon after, he became very sick. While he had a fever, he had a strange vision. He said he visited "Thirty-third Heaven." There, he saw an old, respected man. This man gave Hong a sword. He told Hong to destroy "demon-worshipers" who had rebelled against him. Hong also saw himself fighting these demons with the help of the old man's son.

Hong Xiuquan's Beliefs

After he got better, Hong read the Old Testament of the Bible. He felt it proved his vision was real. He believed he had met God and that God had chosen him as a son or prophet.

Hong wanted to learn more about Christianity. But the missionaries he met did not agree with his vision. They did not believe he was the brother of Jesus. So, Hong decided to create his own new religion. In his new faith, God was the Father. Jesus Christ was the Son and Elder Brother. Hong saw himself as the Younger Brother. He called the New Testament the "Former Testament." His own ideas became his "New Testament."

Hong's friend, Yang Xiuqing, used to sell firewood. Yang claimed he could speak for God. This helped him guide the people and gain political power.

Why People Joined the Rebellion

At this time, China was very weak. Many people were hungry and struggling. They began to join Hong's new religion. By 1851, he had an army of ten thousand men. The rebels cut off their pigtails. This was a symbol of their rebellion against the Manchu Qing rulers.

The Course of the War

The Taiping Rebellion lasted for many years, from 1851 to 1864. It is estimated that between 20 and 30 million people died during the fighting. Over time, the leaders of the rebellion became corrupt. This made many people angry.

Hong Xiuquan died in June 1864. Soon after, a group called the Ever-Victorious Army joined the war. This army was led by Charles George Gordon. The Taiping capital city, Nanjing, was then taken over by the Imperial Army. This marked the end of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Rebelión Taiping para niños

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