The Taiping Rebellion: A Revolution That Shook China
The Taiping Rebellion (1850–1864) was one of the deadliest conflicts in history, with an estimated 20–30 million casualties . Led by Hong Xiuquan , this uprising sought to overthrow the Qing Dynasty and establish a utopian society based on religious and social reform . Though it ultimately failed, the rebellion had profound effects on China’s political, economic, and cultural landscape . Hong Xiuquan’s Ideology & Leadership At the heart of the Taiping Rebellion was its leader, Hong Xiuquan , a failed civil service candidate who believed he was the younger brother of Jesus Christ. His ideology combined elements of Christianity, Confucianism, and radical social reform. 🔥 Key Aspects of His Ideology: Religious Vision: After experiencing visions following repeated failures in imperial exams, Hong Xiuquan believed he had been chosen by God to rid China of demons —identifying the Qing Dynasty as the primary evil . Social ...