Xianfeng Emperor

The Taiping Rebellion began in southern China under Hong Xiuquan. The rebellion would become the deadliest civil war in history, lasting until 1864 and causing millions of deaths.

Xianfeng became Emperor of China at age 19 after the death of his father, Daoguang. He inherited a crumbling empire facing internal rebellion and foreign pressure.

Britain and France launched a military campaign against China, leading to the capture of Beijing in 1860. The war resulted in the Treaty of Tientsin, which forced China to open more ports and legalize the opium trade.

As Anglo-French forces approached Beijing, Xianfeng fled to the summer palace at Rehe. He left his brother Prince Gong to negotiate the peace settlement.

Xianfeng died in Rehe at age 30, possibly from tuberculosis. He was succeeded by his young son, the Tongzhi Emperor, with a regency led by Empress Dowagers Cixi and Ci'an.