Tongzhi Reforms: Saving a Sick Dynasty

Teetering on Brink of Collapse

Rebellions, 1862-64

*Taiping

*Nian

Yunnan Muslims

NW Muslims

2nd Opium War

“Arrow War” of 1860

Renegotiated Unequal Treaties

Anglo-French punitive attack, 1860

Enforced 1858 Treaty and gained more concessions

Imperial leadership

Tongzhi Reforms (1861-74)

*Empress Dowager Cixi (1835-1908)

Central Reforms, 1861-1900

Zongli Yamen, 1861-1901

Office for Management of Business of All Foreign Countries

Prince Gong (co-regent 1861-69)

Wenxiang (1818-76)

Grand Coucilor and Minister of War

Bureaus of Foreign Affairs

Britain
France
Russia
U. S.

Coastal Defense

Customs office

Robert Hart

Foreign language school, 1862

English and French

Became college with modern curriculum in 1867

Provincial Reformers

*Zeng Guofan (1811-72)

Lord Zeng Wenzheng (World of Tiny Insect, p. 115-6, n. 13)

Commander of war against Taipings, 1860-64

Encirclement campaign

Hunan Army

Small unit training and discipline

Network of personal loyalties

Ever Victorious Army

Originated in Shanghai

Commanders

Frederick Ward (U.S.)

John Holland and Charles “Chinese” Gordon (Britain)

*Li Hongzhang

Led troops from Anhui

Taiping Rebellion

Stationed in Jiangsu

Nian rebellion

Encirclement campaign, 1868

*Zuo Zongtang

Organized anti-Taiping army in Hunan

Taiping campaigns, 1860-64

Stationed in Zhejiang

Muslim uprising in the NW, 1866-73

Military Modernization

*Jiangnan Arsenal, Shanghai, 1865

Zeng Guofan

Yung Wing

Guns, canons and ships

Translation bureau

Fuzhou Arsenal, 1866

Zuo Zongtang

Naval school

Nanjing Arsenal, 1867

Tianjin Arsenal, 1870

Li Hongzhang, governor of Zhili

Initiated 90% of total Qing reform projects, 1872-88

Mutual admirers

Ulysses S. Grant and Li Hongzhang in Tianjin, 1879

Grant said Li was “probably the most intelligent and most advanced ruler—if not man—in China.”

Li said, “General Grant and I have suppressed the two greatest rebellions known in history.”