Empress Dowager Cixi: A powerful figure in late Qing China who effectively ruled behind the scenes for many years. Her influence had a significant impact on the Self-Strengthening Movement and other reforms.
Taiping Rebellion: A large-scale rebellion against the Qing dynasty from 1850 to 1864, led by Hong Xiuquan. It was one of the deadliest conflicts in history and severely weakened the Qing government.
Opium Wars: Two wars fought between China and Western powers (primarily Britain) in the mid-19th century over trade imbalance and Chinese resistance to British opium imports. These wars exposed weaknesses within the Qing government and forced China into unequal treaties.