From 1850-1864, Hong Xiuquan, a political and religious leader, led the Taiping Rebellion, which sought to eradicate the Manchus and the Qing dynasty. The discontent of the previous decades all came together under Hong. After his third failed civil service exam, he had visions where he “conversed with a bearded, golden-haired man who gave him a sword, and a younger man… whom Hong addressed as ‘Elder Brother’” (Spence 172). He interpreted that he must “also be the son of God, younger brother to Jesus Christ” (Spence 173). Despite gaining enemies through openly bashing Confucianism, Hong was able to amass a large following called the God worshippers and “declared himself the Heavenly King of the Taiping Tianguo” (Spence 174). Through conquering
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Those under the rule of the Taiping lived under strict rules that were “on paper and often in practice, startlingly radical” (Spence 176). For example, strict asceticism required the “segregation of sexes an absolute bans on opium smoking, prostitution, dancing, and drinking of alcohol” (Spence 176). They also had fundamental principles concerning families that everyone had to follow. For example, the eldest sister was instructed to “gather the young ones and tell them what is wrong and right” (Primary Source 6.2). This shows that under Hong’s leadership, loving one’s family and caring for them well was highly valued. In this document, the author is unknown; regardless, the author describes the ways in which family members should interact. These new principles directly contradict traditional Confucian principles. In Confucianism, the focus is on respect and not on
Those under the rule of the Taiping lived under strict rules that were “on paper and often in practice, startlingly radical” (Spence 176). For example, strict asceticism required the “segregation of sexes an absolute bans on opium smoking, prostitution, dancing, and drinking of alcohol” (Spence 176). They also had fundamental principles concerning families that everyone had to follow. For example, the eldest sister was instructed to “gather the young ones and tell them what is wrong and right” (Primary Source 6.2). This shows that under Hong’s leadership, loving one’s family and caring for them well was highly valued. In this document, the author is unknown; regardless, the author describes the ways in which family members should interact. These new principles directly contradict traditional Confucian principles. In Confucianism, the focus is on respect and not on