To the middle of the XIX century, China was flogged by a number without preceding of natural catastrophes, what united to the poor Ch'ing dinasty administration, they were the origin of a series of anti-manchu and anti-western raisings; mainly in southern China, because this zone was the last in be conquered by the manchus and the first in be exposed to the western influence. The principal rebellion was the " Taiping Revolt", lead by Hung Hsiu-ch'üan.

1846

Hung Hsiu-ch'üan, a teacher in a Guizhou province village, starts the peasants recruitment, in order to defend themselves against the outlaw bands that were marauding southern China. At the same time, influenced by his Christian education, develops an eclectic ideology, in which are established Christian western ideals, as well as the ideas of the esoteric sects of the southern China . Hung proclaim himself " Son of God", called to reform China and creates that year the Association of Worship of God, and preaches a form of social communism, in which the land passes to the property of the peasants that work it. With this speech attracts hundred of followers in the Kwangsi province.

January, 1851

Hung begins a raising in the province of Guizhou. The army of Hung, between are found his co-religionist, as well as anti-manchu elements, beggars, dissatisfacted peasant and secret societies; reach already the thousands; and achieve to take without difficulty numerous villages and some larger towns.

The Beijing government send some troops to stop the rebels, but soon they are defeated, and even numerous soldiers change to the side of the rebels. After these easy victories, Hung proclaim the "Celestial Kingdom of the Great Peace" (or Taiping Tianguo). Within the zones controlled by the rebels, are happened numerous reforms: it is distributed landlords´s lands between the peasants; it is forbidden the slavery, the arranged marriages, to smoke opium, to tie the feet of the girls, the judicial torture and the idols manufacture. The most share of the reforms are welcome, but upon beginning the destruction of the Taoist and Buddhist shrines, creates dissatisfaction between the superstitious peasants bulk; and its assaults on Confucianism alienates him the friendliness of the illustrated classes.

1852

Hung's army grows each day, while the government is unable to answering the numerical superiority of the rebels, as well as of avoiding the demoralization of the imperial army, that cannot equal the force neither the popularity of the rebels. Throughout that year, the rebellious forces take the whole Yangtze valley, as well as vast zones of adjacent provinces. They defeat time after time the imperial armies, that lack adequate commands, and that alienate the support of the population with terrorist tactics, that increase thus the rebellious army. One of the advantages of the rebels, is that include numerous contingent of women, what increases their number and attracts the support of the peasant population.

March, 1853

The rebellious army reaches the million of members, what causes that Hung dare to launch a decisive blow against the Ch'ing. After a siege of 18 weeks, the rebels obtain their larger victory, achieve the conquest of Nanjing, one of the largest cities of China, that is converted immediately into the rebel's capital. However, they do not achieve to maintain a stable control of the zones that occupy, and are seen obligated to a permanent mobilization, since have not achieved no decisive victory against the Manchu, in addition to their own administrative inexperience and the lack of discipline in their army.

Other factor against the rebels, is the French and British support to the government, since prefer to deal with the weak Ch'ing government that be faced to the uncertain Taiping government. They facilitate weapons and instructors to the Manchu, but in small number so as not to strengthen too much the Ch'ing.

1853-1859

During these years, none of the sides has achieved to defeat the other, while the war degenerates in confrontations in the border zones. However, the radical reforms of Hung begin to annoy increasingly followers, since assaults on the bases of the traditional Chinese society; the government of Nanjing is weakened by the defections and the corruption. In spite of this, they are maintained militarily strong, though lack modern weapons. In the year 1859 the Taiping armies resume the offensive toward Beijing, reaching the city of Tianjin. Until this moment, the war has cost about 15 million of lives.

Zeng restructures the army, and in order to give it more power, begins campaigns against the weapon deposits of the government, strike to rob the weapons relinquished by the British and French. Also, it organizes a levies system and a tax system to support the warlike effort.

Zeng's reforms attract to him the antipathies of numerous members of the rebellious government; however, the victory that achieves to obtain on a combined Ch'ing - British army in the south of Shanghai, avoids his fall. At the same time, he achieves a great ascendant on Hung, to which convinces of ceasing the persecutions against the Taoist and Buddhist religious, what reduces largely the dissatisfaction in the occupied territories.

1862

The new Taiping army, strengthened by Zeng, achieves to launch a new offensive, and after a battle of three weeks, the city of Shanghai falls to the rebels, in spite of the resistance offered by the imperial army and the Yankee and British militias, leaded by Frederick Townsend Ward and "Chinese" Gordon.

Due this appalling defeat, the little Manchu prestige that was remaining disappeared, and explode revolts in other places of China, especially in the north, and even in Korea. The British, realizing the end of the Ch'ing, are hurried to recognize the Taiping government, while the last imperial forces are entrenched in Beijing. The rest of the year, the Taiping forces cement their power, while to avoid the western support to the Ch'ing, are recognized the treaties signed by these, in spite of the nationalistic character of the new government.

1863

The last battle begins in April. After leveling, with great losses, the Manchu defenses, May 3th the Forbidden City falls, last Manchu bastion. Little before, the overthrown emperor was fleeing toward Manchuria, where was waiting to resist. May 5th, Hung was arriving to Beijing, to be proclaimed new China's emperor. This event initiates the separation of Mongolia, united to China by subjection to the Manchu Khans, of Korea, under the Yi dynasty, of Annam, Burma and Tibet, that under the Lamaist falls in the British orbit. Soon, other European powers and the USA recognize the new Chinese government, provided that recognize the treaties signed by the Ch'ing.

The deposed emperor form a state in Manchuria, with capital in Harbin; the Taiping army begins an extermination campaign against the Manchu, those which are annihilated in the following 4 years, and the zone is repopulated with Chinese Han, in the persecution the Manchu emperor dies. Meanwhile, Mongolia is assaulted and annexed by Russia, an army sent by the Taiping there is destroyed. The new emperor recognizes the frontier fixed north of Inner Mongolia by the treaty of Nertchinks.

1864-1879

During this period, the new Han mandarins, after examining the " western teachings"; direct a massive reform: is supported the teaching of the western languages, are opened special schools in the principal cities, is reform the writing of the Chinese, are built factories, arsenals and shipyards continuing the western standards. Is instituted a scholarships system supported by the government to send students to learn to Europe and the USA; with the hope of the China's regeneration is achieved continuing the western standards. A similar movement was given in Japan in that moment.

They are adopted western diplomatic practices, what permits a reform of the treaty of 1863 with the Russians, in which is recognized to Russia the Maritime Province (Vladivostok); while the rest of Manchuria is preserved to China.

In 1872 Zeng Guofan dies, the China's most prestigious soldier disappears. This leads to a crisis in the still unstable Taiping government, occupied in the agrarian reform of the country. The emperor Hung, lacking own children, names Zeng Ziwan, Zeng Guofan´s son, his heir, what brings stability to the government, by the prestige of the father of the future Emperor.

They are produced serious conflicts with France and England. France, intending to defend the missionaries in Annam (China's vassal territory), invades the capital and compels to China to negotiate the commercial opening of the territory. However, upon retiring the French, the king of Annam, Tu- Duc, reaffirms its subjection ties with China, that sends a modern army, trained by a German military mission.

However, the French launch a campaign that cleans the Mekong delta of Chinese troops, but these are capable of inflicting a terrible rout to the French in Lang - son. For the treaty of Tien-tsin, France receives the south of Annam, while China conserves the protectorate over the north of the country; it is quickly annexed as a Chinese province. England, pretexting that the new French colony is a threat for India, assaults Burma. Its king requests aid to China, that achieves to contain the British in the mountains of northern Burma, but can not prevent the conquest of the rest of the territory.

Some raisings, as that of the Moslem in Sinkiang, are promoted by the westerners, in order to weaken the Taiping government; but they does not relinquish, and achieves the annulment or the review of most of the unequal treaties, in exchange for greater trade freedom.

These European aggressions, convince new emperor Taiping (Hung Hsiu-ch'üan dies in 1879), to accelerate the step of the reforms, what brings dissatisfaction in the populations of the interior regions and of the conservators. In this period the first political parties are formed.

As a means of alleviating the pressure of the elements opposed to the government (conservative as well as liberal), the emperor Zeng proclaim the constitutional monarchy, based on the British model; it is form a bicameral parliament, that suggests the ministry to the emperor. The second great reform is that of the armed forces: reorganize to the army according to the German model and to the fleet according to the British, what permits him to maintain to stripe the greed of the westerners.

On the other hand, the social reforms have increased largely the average standard of living of the Chinese people, and especially that of the women: the ancient usage of tying the feet has been almost forgotten and only in the rural zones are continued arranging marriages. At the same time they have been freed the formed serfs, and now they are owners of the lands that cultivate, for those which pay taxes in specie or in metallic, that the government sells in the large cities; the trade and industry have been let to entrepreneurs deprive under state control.

China and Japan, by the treaty of Keijo (Seoul, 1890), maintain troops in this city, and exercise both the protectorate over Korea. However, the Japanese have created a pro - Japanese party, which begins an anti-Chinese raising in Seoul, which is the beginning of the "War of Chosen".

The Japanese, without war declaration, assault and destroy the Chinese fleet in Liaodong, and then invade Korea. The Chinese troops abandon Seoul, due the better preparation of the Japanese troops, and the closeness to their bases. However, the Japanese are contained in the Yalu river, while a massive Chinese army is placed in Manchuria. The failure of the Japanese in reaching Manchuria decides them to attempt to assault Beijing directly, and disembark in Liaodong. The beachheads achieve to penetrate some kilometers, before be contained by Chinese reinforcements; a Japanese fleet achieves to isolate Taiwan of the continent, but the Chinese garrison avoids the fall of Taipei.

At this time, the Chinese command decides to launch two simultaneous offensives: the first in Liaodong, and the second in Korea, taking advantage of their numerical advantage. The first fails before the disability of the Chinese fleet of cutting the Japanese supply lines, but the second achieves to break the front, and makes rapid advances toward Seoul. During the following six months, the Japanese resist fanatically, causing the almost complete destruction of the city.

Upon ending the winter, the Chinese, that they have accumulated a huge army north of Korea, launch this southward, defeating the defenders of Seoul, and even the vanguards achieve to reach the Han river. The Japanese reinforce positions in the south, but relinquish territory due to their numerical disadvantage. On the other hand, the bridgeheads of Liaodong are finally destroyed. For affliction of the Chinese government, the Japanese achieve to occupy the eastern coast of Taiwan, with what they procure the surrender of the island.

1895

The war degenerates trenches struggle, the Chinese decide to begin negotiations with the Japanese. To reaffirm their position, launch a second great offensive in Korea, the one which, after costing tens of thousands Chinese losses, achieves to break the front and to reach Pusan. Before the danger that was representing the nearness of the Chinese to their islands, the Japanese are obligated to negotiate.

For the treaty of Beijing (1896), the Japanese withdrawn from Taiwan, recognizing the island as Chinese possession and the Ryu-kyu as Japanese possession. Korea is established as buffer state between both empires, with a member of the dynasty Yi as ruler; both powers agree to withdraw their troops from the country in the following 2 years. On the other hand, China recognizes and supports the Japanese claim on Karafuto (Sakhalin), clause that cause the Russian protest. The war cost 375.000 Chinese deceased, 185.000 Japanese and an approximate number of 1.000.000 of deceased of Korean civilians, in addition to the devastation of the Korean peninsula.

1900-1904

Growing tension between the Chinese and Russian empires; due to border clashes in Central Asia, the Chinese denial to let the Trans-Siberian railway to cross Manchuria and by the Sakhalin affaire. Incited by the "hawks" of his government, the czar goes to war to China in March of 1904, trusting in the Chinese inferiority. However, the Taiping armies, taught by the war against Japan, present huge resistance in Inner Mongolia; while in the battle of the Japan Sea (April), the improved Chinese fleet rout the Russian fleet of Vladivostok, and later attack the port. Due to the Chinese lack of railways in Khajastan, they do not achieve to move effectives in sufficient number, therefore lose Sinkiang. However, they achieve to assault and destroy the branches of the Trans-Siberian in the Maritime Province, therefore the garrison of Vladivostok remains isolated, but the garrison resists the Chinese assaults. Due to the vastity of the front (4.000 km), the battles are located mainly in the Amur River and in Sinkiang, while in Mongolia there are only patrol clashes.

During the winter, the struggle is stopped, while the Chinese hastily build railways to transport troops to the west. The moment is taken advantage by the Japanese, that occupy the north of Sakhalin almost without resistance, though without be allied with the Chinese.

1905

The struggle is restarted in the spring, with continuous Chinese assaults, that compel the Russians to recede, but due to the huge extension of Siberia, the Chinese should abandon their positions upon losing contact with their supply trains. Thus the Russians recapture theirs previous positions, what threat with enlarge the war. In that moment, the exhausted garrison of Vladivostok surrenders, what cause great consternation between the Russians, that they had attempted in vain to reconquer the basin of the Amur.

The British, desirous of weakening Russia, facilitate weapons and money to the Chinese, what decides on Taiping emperor to order the conquest of Mongolia, until later set aside. The massive Chinese forces conquer with rapidity the ancient province, the one that claim according to historical rights. Ulan Bator falls May 15, and after this, the Chinese troops reach even Tannu Tuva. After this continuous disasters in land, to those which is added the rout of the Russian fleet of the Baltic for the Chinese near Taiwan, causes the Duma suggest the czar to negotiate, what he accepts.

For the treaty of Shanghai, China accedes to return Vladivostok and large part of the Maritime Province, in exchange for receiving all Mongolia, Tannu Tuva, Sinkiang and part of the Khajastan. With this, the Taiping empire reaches its maximum extension. On the other hand, China is declared neutral in the Russian - Japanese conflict by Karafuto.

1906-1911

Period of great prosperity in China. The access to sufficient quantities of food due to the extinction of the landlords´s vast properties, and the new imported agricultural techniques from the USA make to grow the population of China until 500 million of inhabitants, in addition to possessing a powerful army and gain the European respect to have defeated Russia. The commercial exchange grows, especially with the USA, who proposes an alliance against Japan and Great Britain to the Emperor, but he rejects the idea. An approximation with Japan against Russia fails, but improve the relationships between both countries, a treaty of "Friendship and Cooperation" is signed and increases trade between both empires. On the other hand, they are cooled the relationships with England because its refuse to negotiate its withdrawal of Hong Kong.

1911

The war between France and Germany explodes by the Morocco affaire (the Panther incident), soon the rest of the European powers are implicated, between these England. Both sides request China help, but the Taiping emperor declares their neutrality. As far as he is concerned, Japan goes to war to Germany, and conquest its Pacific colonies.

The war in Europe soon is stemmed in trenches war, is declared the embargo of all the commodities directed to Germany and its allies.

1912

A German massive assault breaks the English front, the Germans achieve to reach the Atlantic ports of France, cutting all the direct supply lines with its expeditionary force in France; what makes to spread the panic in the Allies command. In exchange of the Chinese troops sending through Russia, England accedes the cession of Hong Kong, what completes China integrity. The Chinese troops help the Russians to defeat the Germans in Tannemberg, compelling them to withdraw troops from the west.

1913

First Russian Revolution explodes, the Chinese troops are abandoned in the field by the Russian defection, and they are defeated boisterously by the Austro - Hungarian army. After the disaster, the Taiping Emperor signs a separate peace with the Central Empires; and spite the fury of the allies, assaults and annexes the Tibet kingdom, Nepal and Bhutan (though avoids scrupulously enter British India) and reinforces its position in Hong Kong, Macao and Annam, since the allies are very occupy in Europe.

1914

The European war ends with a virtual draw, though Germany must recognize the loss of its colonies, but attached Belgium and Poland.

The emperor Zeng dies, his son occupies the throne as the third Taiping emperor, and there are not presented disturbances. As first work of government, legalizes the existence of all the political parties, even the Republican. The Taiping empire starts a long season of peace, in the one which achieves to reach and impressive development, even though it does not achieve to reach the level of the USA or Germany. However, the one which would be once the "sick man" of Asia is converted into its principal potency, with no colonial or regional power (not even Japan) that dares to dispute its control of the Asian situation.

END