Kimberly Mejia Torres:Taiping Rebellion

By Kimberly J Mejia Torres
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    Taiping Rebellion

    The rebellion was one of the largest civil wars in history, which unfolded in China from 1850 to 1864.
  • Hong Xiuquan formally establishes the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, declaring himself the Heavenly King.

    Hong Xiuquan formally establishes the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, declaring himself the Heavenly King.

    Hong Xiuquan had visions when he was younger. Finally understanding at age of 29, his visions meant that he had to become the ruler of China by overthrowing the Qing. After turning to Christianity he established the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. Source:https://biographics.org/hong-xiuquan-the-taiping-rebellion/
  • The Jintian Uprising marks the beginning of the Taiping Rebellion.

    The Jintian Uprising marks the beginning of the Taiping Rebellion.

    On January 11 members of Gods Worshiping Society raised standards of rebellion in Guangxi Province, Guiping County, and Jintian Village. Source: https://chiculture.org.hk/en/photo-story/1186
  • Taiping forces capture Nanjing, which becomes the capital of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and is renamed Tianjing.

    Taiping forces capture Nanjing, which becomes the capital of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and is renamed Tianjing.

    While traveling north through the Yangtze River Valleys, they reached the city Nanjing. After capturing the city they renamed it Tianjing (“Heavenly Capital”), then continued traveling north, in order to capture Beijing, which was the Qing capital, but failed. Source: https://www.britannica.com/event/Taiping-Rebellion
  • Internal conflict leads to the Tianjing Incident, where Yang Xiuqing, a key leader, is assassinated.

    Internal conflict leads to the Tianjing Incident, where Yang Xiuqing, a key leader, is assassinated.

    The Tianjing Incident led to the death of three key leaders Yang Xiuqing, the North King Wei Changhui and the Yan King Qin Rigang. People believe that this incident was a turning point and one of the factors that caused the failure of the rebellion. Source: https://dbpedia.org/page/Tianjing_incident
  • The Taiping forces attempt to capture Shanghai but are repelled by Qing troops with support from Western powers.

    The Taiping forces attempt to capture Shanghai but are repelled by Qing troops with support from Western powers.

    Power struggles left Hong Xiuquan without competent help, which led to the Taiping forces being repelled from Shanghai by British-led forces. Source: https://www.britannica.com/summary/Taiping-Rebellion
  • The "Ever Victorious Army," led initially by American Frederick Townsend Ward and later by British Charles Gordon, begins operations against the Taiping rebels.

    The "Ever Victorious Army," led initially by American Frederick Townsend Ward and later by British Charles Gordon, begins operations against the Taiping rebels.

    The Imperial Chinese government gave American Frederick Townsend Ward general officer’s rank in the Chinese Army. Eventually Ward's army totaled 5,000 infantry, artillery, and engineers. Most of his army were locals from China who used American drills, British weapons, and wore western-style uniforms. Source and more information: https://emergingcivilwar.com/2017/07/21/general-ward-and-the-ever-victorious-army/
  • Hong Xiuquan dies, and the remaining Taiping territories quickly fall.

    Hong Xiuquan dies, and the remaining Taiping territories quickly fall.

    While food sources were cut off Hong Xiuquan ate weeds to survive but fell ill and died. After his death his son Tiangui Fu. Once Zeng’s Xiang Army was in the city they captured and executed Li Xiucheng, while other followers of Hong Xiuguan burned themselves because they didn't want to surrender. Source: https://www.britannica.com/event/Third-Battle-of-Nanjing
  • Nanjing falls to Qing forces, effectively marking the end of the Taiping Rebellion.

    Nanjing falls to Qing forces, effectively marking the end of the Taiping Rebellion.

    Zeng’s Xiang Army began surrounding the capital of Nanjing, blocking off all sources of food. Both army's began to dig tunnels under the city leading to fighting underground. Soon there were shots fired underground destroying part of the wall guarding Nanjing allowing Zeng's Xiang Army to run into the city. Source: https://www.britannica.com/event/Third-Battle-of-Nanjing