The Crisis Within


The Taiping Uprising is also known as the Taiping Civil War or, the Taiping Revolution which was caused by the culmination of China’s internal crisis (1850-1864).  The leader of the Taiping rebels asserted that he (Hong Xiuquan) was the younger brother of Jesus who was sent to purify “the world of demons and to establish a ‘heavenly kingdom of great peace.’”  The Taiping rebels followed a unique form of Christian ideology while Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism were rejected.  The Taiping rebels wanted prostitution and opium smoking to be terminated along with the abolition of private property and, a redistribution of land.  Meanwhile, Hong Xiuquan’s cousin, Hong Rengan had generated plans that would transform China into an industrial nation.  Some of his plans included, health insurance for all, newspapers, railroads, and widespread public education.  It’s interesting to see how Rengan was pushing for health insurance for all (so long ago) and, it’s sad that his dream still hasn’t come to fruition.  I enjoyed reading this section because of the changes that were made in the restrictions for women, for example, the Taiping officials ordered that the feet of other women were to be unbound.  The women whose feet hadn’t been bound had the opportunity and personal choice to fight as soldiers in their own regiments (FINALLY).  I couldn’t believe it when I read that “mutual attraction rather than family interests was promoted as a basis for marriage,” that statement gave me a sense of relief because I just can’t fathom being forced to marry someone that was chosen for me.  Every time I read a new section or chapter, I try to put myself in the scenario of what I’m reading, and it always seems like a helpless and hopeless position to be in.

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