Ep. 39 | The Qing Dynasty (Part 5)
We’re almost at the end of our Imperial China History Overview. In this segment of the China History Podcast, we look at the continued misfortunes in China during the Xianfeng era, as the country is torn apart by the Taiping and Nian rebellions and revolts in the west.
The western powers, following the 2nd Opium War, forcing yet another unequal treaty on the shellshocked Qing government. In these trying times emerge three great China military heroes Zeng Guofan, Li Hongzhang, and Zuo Zongtang.
The Qing at last face the choice of modernizing or lose the mandate of heaven forever. But with Empress Dowager Cixi preparing to seize power, things are going to be dicey for this last dynasty of imperial China.
