China · Animated schematic fronts

Taiping Rebellion

Hong Xiuquan’s movement established a rival state to the Qing dynasty. Prolonged warfare, famine and massacres killed millions of people; the total death toll remains uncertain.

The line is a schematic boundary of territory under one side's control at the dated moments, simplified from overview maps. Enclaves, shifting allies and contested districts are omitted; in-between frames are interpolated and closing edges are graphic and may include sea or uninvolved land. The line follows the reconquest of the Yangtze valley by the Qing armies from west to east; east of it the Taiping controlled mainly cities and communications, and Shanghai was never taken.