Ming and Qing History 41 The Jintian Uprising
This podcast episode tells the story of the Taiping Rebellion, a peasant uprising against the Qing Dynasty that took place in the mid-19th century. The rebellion was sparked by the corruption of the Qing government and the influx of foreign powers, particularly Britain, into China. The rebellion was led by Hong Xiuquan, who founded a religious movement called the God Worshipers, which blended elements of Christianity and Confucianism and promoted equality and the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty. The rebellion quickly gained momentum, and Hong Xiuquan declared himself the Heavenly King. The Taiping rebels captured several cities, including Nanjing, and declared it the capital of their kingdom. The rebellion lasted for over a decade and resulted in the deaths of millions of people, but ultimately failed in its goal to overthrow the Qing Dynasty.