Nien Rebellion

Nien Rebellion: see Nian Rebellion.

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Nian Rebellion

 or Nien Rebellion

(c. 1852–68) Rebellion in northern China during the Qing dynasty. The Nian, a secret society, was probably a reincarnation of the White Lotus Society; it attracted poor peasants, salt smugglers, and army deserters who used guerrilla hit-and-run tactics to attack the wealthy and redistribute the plundered goods among the needy. They took over local militias and formed their own armies. They were finally crushed by Li Hongzhang, who defeated them using modern weapons and blockade lines. See also Taiping Rebellion.

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Nien Rebellion 

a peasant uprising in North China from 1852 to 1868, directed against the Manchu Ch’ing dynasty. It was instigated and led by members of the Nien secret societies. The term “nien” means “twisted, greasy, paper braid,” as well as “union,” “society,” or “brotherhood.” In both Russian and Western literature, the rebellion is also incorrectly known as the torchbearers’ uprising.

The Nien army began operating in November 1852 in the northern part of Anhwei Province under the leadership of a former salt merchant, Chang Lo-hsing. In 1853 the Nien forces, numbering around 100,000, launched a campaign of guerrilla warfare. In 1855 they were organized into ten major units and proclaimed Chang Lo-hsing as their leader. Along with the impoverished peasantry, which constituted the main element of the Nien movement, various anti-Manchu landowners and other representatives of the propertied classes took part in the conflict. The rebels advanced no socioeconomic demands, issuing only a call for the overthrow of the Ch’ing dynasty. During 1855–56, the Nien armies operated in northern Anhwei, northern Kiangsu, and northern Honan provinces. In March 1857, the Nien forces were joined by those of the Taiping rebels in Anhwei, although some Nien detachments continued to fight independently.

From 1861 to 1863, the Nien suffered a series of major defeats and their best-known leaders, including Chang Lo-hsing, were killed. The remaining detachments united under the command of Chang Tsung-yü, the nephew of Chang Lo-hsing, and continued fighting in Honan. In the autumn of 1864, after the Ch’ing reactionaries had routed the main forces of the Taipings, the Nien formed a single army with the Taiping forces still operating in Honan, Hupei, and Shensi provinces. The combined army was led by Chang Tsung-yü and by a Taiping commander, Lai Wen-kuang. In 1866 two separate bands were formed. The one led by Lai Wen-kuang was destroyed by government forces in Kiangsu during late 1867 and early 1868. The other, headed by Chang Tsung-yü, was defeated in Shantung in August 1868.

REFERENCES

Chekanov, N. K. Vosstanie nian ’tsziunei v Kitae: 1853–1868. Moscow, 1963.
Iliushechkin, V. P. Krest’ianskaia voina taipinov. Moscow, 1967.
Ssu-yü Teng. The Nien Army and Their Guerrilla Warfare, 1851–1868. Paris-The Hague, 1961.

V. P. ILIUSHECHKIN