Taiping/Boxer Rebellion Victoria Martino Period 1 February 4, 2016

Opium Wars

Opium Wars The 1st Opium War lasted from 1839 to 1842 and it was fought between the United Kingdom and the Qing dynasty. The Opium Wars began because of China’s attempts to suppress the opium trade. This happened because foreign traders which were mainly British had been illegally exporting opium from India to China. The 2nd Opium War, also called the Arrow war or the Anglo-French War, lasted from 1856 to 1860. It was fought between the United Kingdom + France and the Qing Dynasty. The 2nd Opium War began because the United Kingdom wanted to extend their trading rights in China. The French joined the United Kingdom over the execution of a French missionary. During this war, the Taiping Rebellion was going on.

Taiping Rebellion

Taiping Rebellion The Taiping Rebellion lasted from 1850 to 1864. The founder of the rebellion was Hong Xiuquan (1814-1864). Hong Xiuquan failed the Confucian tests many times and it caused him to have a nervous breakdown. After the breakdown, Hong spent some time in Canton, where he met some missionaries who inspired Hong with their teachings. He then saw himself as the son of God, the younger brother of Jesus, and he was sent to change China. In 1851, Hong proclaimed his new dynasty, the Taiping Tianguo or Heavenly Kingdom of Great Peace. During the rebellion, slavery, prostitution, foot-binding, opium smoking, adultery, gambling, and the use of tobacco and alcohol were prohibited. 

Self Strengthening Movement

Self Strengthening Movement The Self Strengthening Movement lasted from 1861-1895.  The Movement was a time of institutional changes initiated in China during the late Qing dynasty after a series of military defeats and concessions to foreign powers.

Boxer Rebellion

Boxer Rebellion The Boxer Rebellion was created by the Society of Harmonious Fists. They wanted to get all the foreigners out of China. The Society of Harmonious Fists practiced certain boxing rituals that they thought made them invulnerable. Austria-Hungary, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States fought against the Boxers and the Qing dynasty.

Open Door Policy

Open Door Policy The Open Door Policy (1899 and 1990) opened up China’s “door” to merchants from all nations. The Policy also protects the trading rights of foreign powers and China from colonization. This Policy was made by the U.S. Secretary of State John Hay and was sent to the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, and Japan.

Sino-Japanese War

Sino-Japanese War (1) The Sino-Japanese War lasted from 1894 to 1895. The war started because of conflicts between Japan and China. The conflicts showed that Japan was a major world power and China was weak. Both countries also wanted supremacy of Korea. The war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Shimonoseki. Japan took over Taiwan.

Chinese Revolution

Chinese Revolution The Chinese Revolution , also referred to as the Xinhai Revolution, occurred on 1911 to 1912. On 1912, a nationalist democratic revolt overthrew the Qing dynasty and they created a republic.

World War Two (China vs. Japan)

World WAR Two (Sino-Japanese War [2]) The 2nd Sino-Japanese War was from 1937 to 1945. The war started because China resisted the expansion of Japanese influence. In order to unseat the Nationalist government, the Japanese decided to take our large areas of East China in 1937 to 1938. Japan was defeated and left China in 1945.

Was the revolution Successful? I actually think that all these rebellions, wars, and revolutions I mentioned were not successful because China usually lost. Also a lot of the rebellions and revolutions did not stick for long.