EMPEROR XIANFENG DOCUMENTARY - THE SECOND OPIUM WAR

[@wolfu597]

Emperor Daoguang made a bad choice when he picked Xianfeng as his successor. I've read Stephen R. Platts book, 'Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom. China, the West, and the epic story of the Taiping civil war'. And according to the author, when Daoguang secretly selected his successor, he asked each of his two favorite sons (Gong and Xianfeng) what they would do if they ascended the throne. Gong said that he would initiate a series of political reforms and improve China technological backwardness, improve diplomatic relationships with the West, and modernize China. Xianfeng on the other hand, went down on his knees and cried that it meant that his father had died. In Daoguangs mind, this act proved that Xianfeng was the most filial of the two, and therefore selected him to be his successor. If only he knew how illsuited Xianfeng were.

[@grandadmiralzaarin4962]

Minister, "Majesty there's been a disaster!" Emperor Xianfeng wearily, "You're going to have to be more specific..."

[@joshfish2]

"Im one of the rebel leaders/foreign invader generals" *Xianfeng smashes his fists on throne* "Do you have any idea how little that narrows it down?"

[@micahistory]

wow this guy was so unlucky. He literally lived during the worst time in Qing history. Taiping Rebellion Panthay Rebellion Nian Rebellion Second Opium War and just decline in general

[@realgamer1099]

Taiping Rebellion Nian Rebellion Panthay Rebellion Miao Rebbelion Second Opium war Red turban rebellion Really Emeperor xianfeng was poor

[@miliba]

this continuously miserable period for china would continue until mao's death

[@frewofstew6304]

And don't forget Russia! LOL

[@micahistory]

@@realgamer1099 yes

[@joshfish2]

That, and he didn't seem too enthusiastic to rule in general, put on him without warning too. He couldn't even enjoy a reclusive life of luxury, sex and drugs! The portrait of his shown there with a cane, if he came to the thronw at 19, and rules for about 11 years, then he died at about 30. He looks in his 50s, there, and no wonder...

[@yizhou5493]

His indulgence in late reign was regarded as a "chronic suicide" by Qi Gong, one of Qing's royal family descendents. He did all he could, and gave up struggling at the end. As an emperor he was unable to suicide, so he sought this way, broken and disillusioned, at sunset of the empire.

[@needmoreramsay]

These are by far the best historical documentaries on China I have ever seen. Very clear, precise, informative illustrations and narration. Thank you

[@History_of_China]

Thanks for your comment!

[@Progressive.Films.]

a great narrator who speaks fine English and pronounces all his chinese just as well... very well made

[@JesusSavesSouls]

This series was great!! Thanks so much for this, I can tell this took a long time. You actually make history enjoyable to watch and learn!

[@mistergeopolitics4456]

Excellent video yet again. Thank you so much. Sir you are an asset to youtube, Chinese history and history in general.

[@History_of_China]

Thank you for following sir !

[@fatimaani8346]

Qing emperors were universally delusional. They had no grasp on reality and thus eventually lost their throne

[@user-jm5xw3wg6g]

That's why the modern China will occupy English and French bz their arrogance fighting against themselves in the past

[@aussieboy4090]

I’m fascinated by Chinese history.

[@buttman7830]

You should, will be useful after Australia becomes a Chinese colony

[@matthewchacon2625]

@@buttman7830 probably Taiwan first

[@christinem4266]

@@buttman7830 ？

[@endryl08]

@@buttman7830 Lol, nobody cares about Australia, they literelly have nothing, just Kangurus....

[@o19g78e]

Excelent video! Before you do the Empress Cixi (Zishi), you should do a video of concubine organization and inner working.

[@History_of_China]

Thank you ! I will do just that

[@o19g78e]

@@History_of_China I also submited a Spanish subtitles for your Daoguang videos. Hope they are to your liking.

[@History_of_China]

@@o19g78e Thank you so much ! I'm not fluent in Spanish but it seems fine to me, I just published them :)

[@dawg204]

You sir made his most popular video

[@X1GenKaneShiroX]

11 months ago you already did the video on the first Qing emperor. I guess you’re taking your time to make these videos a masterpiece and might take some more months to cover all Qing emperors. Excellent video though!

[@History_of_China]

Thanks for your comment ! It feels weird as I'm getting near to the end of the series. Looking forward to covering the rest until the grande finale with Puyi ;)

[@henry_illenberger]

Poor Emperor Xianfeng... Reigning at the worse possible time of the Dynasty.

[@realgamer1099]

Poor Xianfeng

[@X1GenKaneShiroX]

Yep, that was pretty much the point when the century of humiliation is getting more deadly.

[@EMPIREOFTREBIZOND]

to be fair, even without all of these issues he was incompetent anyways

[@gklpang]

this whole series are very good, thank you

[@History_of_China]

I'm glad you are enjoying it ! Cheers :)

[@daryljamaat4266]

If the Discovery tv channel or other related enterprises call. Say yes.

[@ninja_whale]

Awesome video as usual! :D I remember reading in a textbook that Hong Xiuquan was given "good word" tracts from the Bible as he was about to take the examinations for the third time. He didn't open these tracts until he failed for the 4th time and upon reading them connected the passages to his delirium and decided that he must be the Son of God. I guess one of the lessons here is.... brochures and ads really work! >__>

[@peasantmob1712]

Oh look, my two favorite KZbin channels on Chinese history are here.

[@obionedogan]

Very well made and educational video! Thank you!

[@XtremeGuy34]

Great video! easy to understand, not too long and very well put together. Do you think emperor Xianfeng would have gotten the same outcome even without the western/opium influence because of the amount of corruption, distrust in the officials around the country, as well as uprising in Han Chinese nationalism and declining quality of the different armies/warlords around the country? It seems like the country was asking for a late industrial revolution.

[@History_of_China]

Thanks for your comment ! The country was already in a bad state without the Western influence after Qianlong's rule, regarding corruption, public opinion, and decline of administration. Xianfeng proved unfit to adequately rule even before the Second Opium War broke out. While this event precipitated his death, I'm not sure he could have smoothly solved the issue of corruption, rebellions etc. had he lived for another couple of decades. In my opinion, his brother Yixin/Prince Gong would have made a far better ruler in general, as he seemed truly interested in politics and in the welfare of his country, and dare I say braver and smarter than Xianfeng. That being said, had Xianfeng had prior political experience and more time to prepare before ascending to the throne, he might have done better in his reign

[@XtremeGuy34]

@@History_of_China Thank you! Of course this will all be speculations, but I agree with you. Xianfeng was clever but might not have been interested enough in the wellbeing of his countrymen as you said. Looking forward to future videoes :)

[@fatimaani8346]

@@History_of_China but the Qing dynasty had a polich of discouraging princes from preparing for the throne, it was considered unfilial. Most of them inherited the throne stupid. Xianfeng's father was 38 when he took the throne and still stupid

[@johnyricco1220]

Prince Gong would have made a better Emperor. It’s a pity Xianfeng was chosen. It seems he made no attempt to understand the failures of the first Opium War,

[@littlehistorian5751]

Also gong

[@joshfish2]

Tbf, it looks like most in the court didn't, and would never truly. Considering the 100 days reform unfortunately failed around 1896-1898 and Cixi had enough popular support to take back control along with the other ultra conservatives, clearly shows how tone deaf they were... Then they put Puyi, a 2 year old, on the throne, and only by like the last year or two, do they suddenly decide to make some sort of constitutional representation (and even then, it was heavily stacked) There's a good reason, much of global feudalism and monarchy came crashing down in the modern age

[@josiahely4485]

I love your history videos, keep it up 😀

[@History_of_China]

Cheers ! Glad you enjoy :)

[@loonloon6860]

Man this is very dark and sad, when you try keep things in one Peace, but it never works

[@subakirtas5377]

Keep it up, great work👍🏻

[@History_of_China]

Thank you !

[@z3pHyRx3]

Thank you for the great video! Keep it up!

[@brentgould958]

Remember when a cult took over a chunk of China? { 6:51 } Pepperidge farms remembers!

[@lyhthegreat]

20:22 man these people are behaving like the vikings..constantly returning for their yearly raids

[@punlokomovicdevinho7611]

Prince Gong would have solved all the problems if he was the emperor.

[@History_of_China]

It certainly seems that way! If he had been, and was able to enforce reforms, we might have seen a modernisation in China similar to the Meiji Restoration.

[@perfectstudents8361]

All these incompetent rulers contributed the fast decline of China. They caused a lot of poverty and sufferings to the people. But they make great stories for Chinese historical dramas today.

[@ichigo2012hollowmask]

I wouldn't call them incompetent per se (at least the emperors after Daoguang). It's just that East Asia weren't exposed to the Industrial Revolution happening in the West and were left behind technologically speaking. And due to vast distances between Asia and Europe/Western Hemisphere, the Qing, like the Tokugawa (Japan) didn't understand just how inferior they've become or the rapid change in the balance of power across the world. By this point in time, the Qing imperial system has become antiquated and deeply corrupt that it was just impossible for any emperor to change the tide. The only thing you can blame them for is their stubborn ignorance and refusal to modernize quickly which Meiji era Japan did.

[@mr.cookie7308]

Every empire destroys itself from the inside out, before external forces can cause its ultimate demise.

[@elwrongo]

Great series, learning so much, most appreciated thankyou

[@History_of_China]

Cheers !

[@fgr6397]

man I love your videos!

[@darkcult99]

Fantastic documentary. Thank you!

[@History_of_China]

I'm glad you enjoyed :)

[@bernardfinucane2061]

This series leaves out one huge event: In 1848 the Yellow River, which used to flow south of the hill country of Shandong Province and meet the sea just north of Shanghai, jumped its banks and now flows out near Beijing (near the Tagu Forts). Also the Grand Canal, which brought rice to the North, silted up. The results were devastating, and millions starved or died in the floods.

[@chialuenlis5931]

Almost time for Tongzhi, Guangxu, and Empress Dowager Cixi.

[@ninja_whale]

Hahhaa very much looking forward to Cixi :D

[@CaptainGrimes1]

And Xuantong

[@shinjinobrave]

Absolutely wonderful video once again. Could you do a video explaining about the system of royal consorts? Were they wives, concubines, something like the harem system? What kind of power did they wield? Keep making these man, they're simply wonderful!

[@History_of_China]

Thanks for your comment ! I plan to do just that. I'll make a video on the Qing dynasty Imperial Harem System, and possibly later a general video on harem systems in Imperial China in general

[@ManchuCLuBMix]

♪ It's a long, long way to Ba Sing Se!

[@Har0Id]

??

[@mr.cebuano2843]

@@Har0Id in the cartoon serie named avatar the last airbander they're is a city named ba sing se which is the capital of the earth kingdom .and the cartoon serie mostly based on Asia and that's why ba sing se palace based on forbidden city palace in Beijing

[@simonpender8331]

Very well done, thank you.

[@History_of_China]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@hancehanson4000]

If ever you start running-low on major-Qing-history-events to do videos on... Perhaps you could make some in-depth episodes about the Other major-rebellions going on at this same time----- [??] *( . . .pretty-Please?!)* Episodes covering the: Nian, Miao, Red-Turban, & Panthay rebellions... just like you have already [Excellently!] covered the Taiping Rebellion. **I just Love your videos/channel So-Much; and now i am So'o'o'O fascinated by China-during-this-era/the-Qing-Dynasty----- ...that i want more, More!, MORE!! . . .Absolutely as many videos and as in-depth on the topics as you possibly-can-make!

[@pacifistcrusader5784]

Video on what is considered age of humiliation? When it begins and ends.

[@History_of_China]

I probably will make such a video eventually !

[@gogan3429]

Great bideo. Thank you

[@History_of_China]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed

[@hancehanson4000]

*(Why was the 2nd-Opium-War referred to as such? Unlike the 1st-Opium-War, ....i don't recall hearing opium mentioned once as a cause/driving-force in this conflict at all-- [?] )

[@Vibhav_Kumar_2116]

This part of Chinese history is sad, so much humiliation

[@view1st]

But now the Chinese as a nation are on the rise and once more will take their place as a great and respected nation.

[@richardkeilig4062]

Well done.

[@History_of_China]

Thanks!

[@zack_120]

22:57 - To pay war prices makes sort of sense (if war was fought at a neutral site then it would make real sense), but to burn a world class palace is surely not something done by any civilized being, kind of like torching the Notre Dame cathedral. This kind of impulsive behavior must stem from ethnic or cultural mentality as not all people would do it.

[@riveroflifeministry8299]

Read about the Arrow incident in Broomhall's long biography of Hudson Taylor recently, and got the impression that the British were pretty high-handed - it had been a pirate ship before as you say, so the Chinese response was eminently understandable. Were the British angling for another war to open up more ports?

[@History_of_China]

Definitely. Chinese goods were increasingly demanded in the West, and this was the perfect opportunity for the British (and the French, Russians and Americans) to obtain even more privileges from China (trade ports, trade advantages, and political concessions)

[@Finestnatural4567]

14:01 qing dynasty's second wave of nightmare took place

[@Finestnatural4567]

Can you make a full video about the second opium

[@History_of_China]

I've moved away from the Qing era, but I admit this topic would deserve a dedicated video. Perhaps one day!

[@Finestnatural4567]

​@@History_of_China If the Second opium war video might happened i will watched it immediately because it would might be exciting than the first opium war

[@soloplayer7794]

Thank u to our believe we are now See the history of the world And wee knows who we are And also love our NBH We love u china from🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭

[@needmoreramsay]

The Chinese written language is fascinating. not sure which dialect is shown, but the written words symbols seem to almost be an exact representation of the person, place or thing it is describing. 2:53 "Barbarian" could represent an armored person, with a cross at it's core. This represents the Western person in the eyes of the Chinese.

[@needmoreramsay]

And 5:36 discussing Christianity, the symbol/word shown seems to show 3 crosses (representing the Crucifixion of Christ).

[@Philosophie-by-Alex-Wegenast]

I feel like the downfall started with Qianlong who had the great opportunity to open the trade in order to modernise his country and fill the treasury. It would have been an early equivalent to the Meiji restoration and could have prevented the opium trade. After this there was no way back.

[@aslampervez2294]

Thanks

[@nefosworld]

I laughed so hard when that guy thought he was Jesus’ long lost brother, it was the way you said it too😂😂😂

[@autodidact537]

Read the book: "God's Chinese Son"-The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom of Hong Xiuquan by author Jonathan D. Spence.

[@greghobbs1728]

Opium made it to Denver by way of San Francisco. Now, it's coming from Afghanistan. The stuff messes people up big time. Thanks Queen Victoria.

[@phased-arraych.9150]

And just when you think the curb stomping can’t get any worse...

[@TheSamLegacy]

What is the comic at 18:57 ?

[@myintmoaung-jk6wl]

that's exactly what we otaku wanna know😂😂😂

[@FairwayJack]

interesting coincidence ... that emperor's name YiZhu can be accurately translated into English as 'Joe Biden' ...but I'm sure that's just a coincidence

[@Navroze]

excellent video..same for the first part

[@History_of_China]

Thank you !

[@sarahlachman1349]

China could have been saved had Prince Gong been Emperor

[@iggy5347]

China could have been saved if mao become an emperor back then

[@ivonnehf]

Que emperador es con Ruyi, urala ?

[@History_of_China]

Es emperador Qianlong :)

[@Tyler.i.81]

The battle of poontang remember it well

[@joshfish2]

According to the death tolls too, the sum total of what all these rebellions caused in terms of casualties, throughout the span of each rebellion was MINIMUM 56.67 MILLION deaths... (and according to wiki the Red Turban Revolt has unknown death toll) If we're going by the maximum, especially for the very hard to calculate Taiping Rebellion, that's ANOTHER 20 MILLION stacked on... Putting that up to 76.67 million, barely 4 million under the total overall death toll of the Second World War... Even with the minimum though, that's 16 million more deaths than the overall death toll of WWI, and almost THREE QUARTERS of the overall death toll of WWII... This is also largely just the start of the century of humiliation too The Taiping Rebellion is the bloodiest Rebellion in human history, and ALONE is about the 3rd or so worst conflict by death toll in human history. China in this century of humiliation would also face the worst human made famine in human history too (Great Chinese Famine, as a result of Mao's GLF)

[@GuanLaoban]

Great video! Kudos! Say, does anyway happen to know of any historical sources that get into how much art was destroyed vs. looted when Anglo-French forces torched the Old Summer Palace? I assume they looted quite a bit, and that those pieces were therefore spared, but a trove of imperial pieces must have been destroyed, as well. Thanks!

[@History_of_China]

Thank you! From my knowledge, most of what was lost was looted rather than destroyed. Soldiers and officers were eager to get their hands on treasures to keep/sell back in Europe. It's however undeniable that a portion of the artifacts were destroyed (probably more so with books than vases and paintings), either deliberately or in the chaos of the pillage. I don't think there are many (any?) sources on this precise matter, though.

[@johnmurray7767]

Love your Chinese pronunciation

[@History_of_China]

Thanks!

[@Isxiros100]

Can I ask what the erhu song in the background is?

[@History_of_China]

The music credits are in the description :) but I think you're looking for the piece called "Autumn Moon over Han Palace". I'm not sure about the performer in this rendition though.

[@frederikmetzmrch7018]

Hi, Im Frederik Morch and I am currently writing a piece of work regarding Japan and China's modernisation and to what extent Japan's modernisation was more successful. I am interested in your education + name as I would like to use some of your videos in my work (Yuan Shikai and The Era of Modernization in Japan). If that could be possible I would be very thankful :)

[@History_of_China]

Hello Frederik, thanks for your comment ! I'd be happy to answer your questions. You can reach out to me at [e-mail] :)

[@OneAngrehCat]

The BRITISH army burned the Old Summer Palace. The French army had no part in it. Montauban refused to be part of this shameful act. Both armies looted it.

[@nathanpas6743]

Grazie per il video. Dovresti fare un video su Marco Polo e le voci che lo circondano.

[@brianjunyili1261]

Good

[@Vibhav_Kumar_2116]

Why British used capture and send them To different countries

[@larrywave]

Will you cover those rebellions ?

[@History_of_China]

In time, yes, though I'd like to finish the Qing emperors series first :)

[@larrywave]

@@History_of_China thanks for reply 😇

[@mriron-id1ic]

Can u do a vid on heshen. No one talks about him on KZbin

[@History_of_China]

I probably will eventually, but not before I finish the Qing emperor series

[@BountyFlamor]

didn't you have a video on the 2nd Opium War by itself once?

[@History_of_China]

I haven't covered the 2nd Opium War specifically yet, only the 1st, but I will one day :)

[@franciscomm7675]

Are you going to talk about emperor tongzhi in your next video?

[@History_of_China]

I'm hesitating on doing either Tongzhi - Guangxu - Cixi or Tongzhi - Cixi - Guangxu. In any case I would make a video on the Qing Imperial Harem system before doing Cixi.

[@kimhicks4781]

@@History_of_China I wish you would do Step Empress Nàra of Qiànlong 17 ceñtury. Her tenure was 1750 to 1766. Her last year spent in house arrest for supposedly cutting her hair. There was no witness to this and she went into house arrest immediately and was dead a year later. A lot of mystery surrounding Empress Ulanara. Did the Emperor just say this so he could quietly get dispose of her and replace her with Ling who was in his favor. I guess we will never know as they say the Draft History of Qing is undisputed riddled with error. Neither the less people all over the world are interested in her. She has become famous because of Ruyis Royal Love in the Palace mini series based loosely on the historical Ulanara Empress

[@ComradeKelly]

Do you have any plans to cover the warlord period?

[@History_of_China]

I do. When I finish my Qing emperors series I'll probably make a few general videos and then move on to the Beiyang Government

[@HejsanNiclas]

English subtitles would be very good for some of us non-native english speakers. I perceived about 75% of the words spoken in the videos speed, in combination with the chinese words here and there.

[@History_of_China]

I'll keep it in mind!

[@claudelorrain-bouchard6941]

Can you get someone to make English and Chinese subtitles?

[@myintmoaung-jk6wl]

could you share its webtoon name?

[@History_of_China]

Hi, I'm not sure what you're referring to. Could you be more specific?

[@nefosworld]

14:31 is consort Yi.....Cixi Taihou!? If she is then WHOAAAAAAA

[@luxborealis]

When a side character from the earlier seasons come back as a main character in the last season!

[@TheKeithvidz]

15:55 what french comic?

[@History_of_China]

It's called LaoWai, and was published in 2017 :)

[@TheKeithvidz]

@@History_of_China Ah man you responded and i found your reply by chance! Cool.

[@myintmoaung-jk6wl]

​@@History_of_Chinaany english name? can't find in manga or manhwa

[@krollpeter]

What a chain of failures in decision making

[@loull_aroll]

We need a series on the Taiping Rebellion, one of the worst in Chinese history!

[@History_of_China]

I covered the Taiping Rebellion as my first ever video, but the quality is pretty terrible in retrospect. I might remake them some day

[@loull_aroll]

@@History_of_China Ohhh, just saw them in your older videos. Keep up the awesome work! I've been binging your videos on the Qing emperors for the past couple of days!

[@weekiang6247]

Everyone fish in trouble water, especially Russia. When she take a huge chunk of territory from China

[@EzekielDeLaCroix]

WHY DO YOU KEEP PUTTING ALLCAPS ON YOUR TITLES LIKE THIS?

[@MrLangam]

SO THAT PEOPLE WILL SEE IT AS KZbin IS FULL OF ANTI-CHINA BULLSHIT

[@riyaraj7172]

Being a history honours student studying chinese history is too hard😢 Why we Indian has to study about them whereas chinese people don't need to study our💔💔

[@buddhidev7877]

Empress Cixi made situation worsen IMO

[@CALEBBYPRODUCTIONS]

Guess, he was born at the wrong time. haha. He's okay for when China was strong. Gg for when China is falling behind already.

[@History_of_China]

Pretty much all emperors after Qianlong were born at the wrong time lol I do however think even in times of peace and prosperity, Xianfeng would have been a mediocre emperor

[@CALEBBYPRODUCTIONS]

@@History_of_China Truth. Haha

[@jjc4232]

Taipen rebellion is today's Falong Ku

Opium was not illegal in Europe at all. Nor was it illegal in Qing Empire until the War.

[@DarrylWade-u6o]

wHY DID YOU NOT MAKE A VIDEO ABOUT A CHINESE EMPORER EDICT: THAT KILLED MANY CHINESE DRUG ADDICTS?

[@jerolvilladolid]

China was defeated in the 1st opium war by poor leadership, the british made minor victories in the coast and traitorous eunichs convinced the emperor to sign peace even though the British had not encountered a single chinese land army In the second opium war they lost because of poor national unity with the Han people revolting instead of helping the Qing against the foreigners

[@mothdiaries123]

Again I blame the brits

[@xxgamin6986]

Why didn’t the Xiang army which was a modern one fight British and French

[@History_of_China]

The Xiang army was based in Hunan, and the Second Opium War never went inland except in the Imperial domain. In any case, it was too busy fighting the Taiping rebels

[@blackwater7183]

China always get conquered ffs.

[@runswithbears3517]

Colonialism at its worst.

[@hugodesrosiers-plaisance3156]

No wonder Xi Jinping wants to settle some old beef.

[@peacerespect98]

谁在讲中国的历史？

[@johncameron4172]

This video makes out like the west caused all the problems because of greed. I agree that greed had a lot to do with it. The narrator doesn’t take into account the totalitarian regime of the emperor. I’m sure that the emperor and his wealthy elites would love to have continued with their reign and control of the country. However, sooner or later the people of China would have learned that the emperor was not a demigod and that they deserved better lives than to just be subjects of those aforementioned. I’m NOT condoning what England and France did. Especially the the evil East India Trading Company. I’m just saying that the narrator seems to completely demonize the west when their own people are the ones who started the uprisings.

[@cheatyukhu1194]

📩5🐀