One of the most significant challenges of her reign was the Taiping Rebellion. The Taiping forces, led by the charismatic Hong Xiuquan, aimed to overthrow the Qing government and establish a new kingdom. The rebellion caused the deaths of millions and severely weakened the Qing Empire. Cixi played a crucial role in organizing the imperial response to the rebellion, and under her leadership, the Qing government was ultimately able to suppress the Taiping forces. This victory bolstered her reputation and solidified her grip on power.
The Self-Strengthening Movement and Modernization Efforts
While Empress Dowager Cixi is often criticized for her conservative policies, particularly her resistance to the radical reforms advocated by the reformers, it is also important to note that she did oversee a number of important modernization efforts. The Self-Strengthening Movement (1861–1895), which aimed to modernize China’s military and industrial capabilities, was largely under Cixi’s direction.
Although she was hesitant about adopting Western-style reforms, she understood the necessity of modernizing China to keep up with the rising powers of the West and Japan. During her reign, she presided over the construction of railroads, the establishment of modern arsenals, and the opening of new schools. However, her efforts to modernize were often cautious and fragmented, as she was wary of threatening the traditional power structures of the Qing Dynasty. shutdown123