End of the Qing
A. The Taiping Rebellion 1. Taiping Rebellion (1850-64) broke out in province w/ poor farmland, endemic poverty, & ethnic divisions - Hakka people lowest social class
2. founder of the Taiping movement: Hong Xiuquan (from Hakka minority) - Hong met Christian missionaries in Canton - Hong declared himself the brother of Jesus - religious group: “Kingdom of Heavenly Peace” Goal: expel the Manchus
B. Effects of the Taiping Rebellion bloodiest civil war in history (20-30 million dead) Nanking controlled by rebels for 10 years Britain & France joined the Qing’s against rebels
C. End of the Qing Qing treasury bankrupt… local governors seized power - British influence of emperor “Dowager” Empress Cixi (r. 1861-1908): - former concubine - ruled through son & then nephew - conservative ruler - overthrew “100 Days’ Reform” - expelled foreigners (supported “Boxer Rebellion”) - modernized military - symbol of corruption - ruled until 1908
Last Emperor of China: Puyi (1908-1911)