3. The Taiping Rebellion (1850-1864)
The Taiping Rebellion stands as one of history’s deadliest civil wars, claiming the lives of an estimated 20 million people. Spearheaded by Hong Xiuquan, who proclaimed himself the brother of Jesus, the movement aimed to overthrow the Qing Dynasty and introduce radical social reforms. The conflict devastated vast areas of China, weakening the empire’s ability to resist foreign aggression. This internal turmoil further exposed China’s vulnerabilities and deepened the sense of national crisis.
