Rebellions in 19th century China

The Arguments about 19th Century China

• External sources of change– The Opium Wars and the impact of the West

• Internal sources of change– The Taiping and other rebellions

The Social Origins of Secret Societies and Rebellions

• Characteristics of secret societies– Members are people who move frequently

from place to place– They have passwords and initiation rituals– They provide mutual aid

• The Lin Shuangwen Uprising in Taiwan– Why secret societies form– Why they rebel

The Taiping Rebellion

• Hong Xiuquan and the religious origins of the uprising– The battle against idols

• The God Worshippers come into conflict with the state– The campaign from Guangxi to Nanjing

• The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom in Nanjing– The Manchus as demons

Other Rebellions

• Why were there other rebellions at the same time?

• The other major mid-19th century rebellions– The Nian– The Muslim and Miao rebellions in Yunnan– The Muslim rebellion in northwest China

• How much support did these rebellions have?