The Daoguang Emperor died and his fourth son Yizhu succeeded him as the Xianfeng Emperor, ushering in a reign soon dominated by major internal rebellions and intensified Western military pressure.
Hong Xiuquan’s God Worshippers formally declared armed revolt at Jintian (Guangxi), a widely used marker for the outbreak of the Taiping Rebellion—an existential crisis for the Qing state during Xianfeng’s reign.
The reign-title (nianhao) Xianfeng began in the Qing regnal calendar, anchoring official dating during a period of severe fiscal strain, military decentralization, and mounting rebellions.
Taiping armies took Nanjing and turned it into their capital (Tianjing), transforming the rebellion into a rival regime and forcing the Qing court to mobilize large-scale suppression campaigns.
The Taiping leadership launched a major campaign north toward Beijing. Its failure helped prevent a rapid collapse of Qing rule but prolonged the war and drove further militarization of Qing governance.
An uprising involving Miao and other groups erupted in Guizhou, adding to the multi-front crisis facing the Qing while resources were already stretched by the Taiping war.
Xianfeng’s only surviving son, Zaichun, was born—securing the immediate line of succession, though the dynasty’s political future would soon depend on regencies and court factional struggles.
The Second Opium War broke out between Qing China and Britain (soon joined by France), escalating foreign military intervention and pressuring the Qing court into further treaty concessions.
After Anglo-French advances, the Qing agreed to the Treaties of Tianjin, which expanded foreign diplomatic and commercial access. Implementation and ratification disputes contributed to renewed fighting.
Qing forces repelled an Anglo-French attempt to force entry via the Hai River defenses at the Taku Forts, a temporary reversal that encouraged hardliners but was followed by a larger allied campaign in 1860.
At the Battle of Palikao (Baliqiao), Anglo-French forces defeated Qing troops, clearing the way to occupy Beijing and compelling the court to negotiate under extreme duress.
During the occupation of Beijing, British troops burned the Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan). The episode became a lasting symbol of foreign coercion and Qing vulnerability under Xianfeng.
Prince Gong signed the Convention of Beijing (separate agreements with Britain, France, and Russia), confirming and extending treaty-system concessions and ending the war while Xianfeng remained away from the capital.
Xianfeng died at the imperial resort at Rehe (Jehol/Chengde). His death triggered a regency arrangement for his young son and intensified court struggles over control of the state.
Empress Dowagers Cixi and Ci’an, allied with Prince Gong, carried out the Xinyou Coup to remove the appointed regents, reshaping court politics immediately after Xianfeng’s death and setting the course for the early Tongzhi reign.
Xianfeng Emperor's Reign (1850–1861)
