HIS102Y1 Lecture : HIS107chapter 15.docx
Document Summary
Per capita cultivation land fell to the point that it could no longer sustain a living. 50% of 60% of the land was in the hands of the rich. 60-90% of the population had no land at all, becoming tenants of rich landowners. Tenants ended up paying 50% for renting the land leaving little to live on, which meant that they had to borrow money. Government relief was perfunctory and funds were embezzled. Hong xiuquan was a teacher trying to take the civil service exam, failing a few times. The process was very competitive, and xiuquan ended up having a breakdown. Xiuquan"s beliefs begin a movement, as the peasants acknowledge that the practices he wants them to give up, do end up furthering the poverty they find themselves already in. The number of followers starts to build up, and xiuquan declares himself king of the. This is essentially a religious movement, giving something to all people to unite around.
