Great Britain and the Taipings

Abstract

This is the first full study of British reactions to the major civil war known as the Taiping Rebellion which ravaged China in the midnineteenth century. The main emphasis is upon government policy towards the rebellion over the whole period in which it was active, but there are also chapters dealing with the views of merchants, missionaries and the public at large. As well as filling in a vital chapter in the history of Sino-Western relations the book provides a case study of the process of policy making in an important area of 'informal' empire. Thus, although primarily directed towards students of nineteenth century Chinese history and of the Taiping Rebellion in particular, it will be of value to students of mid-Victorian imperialism. Show more