Second Rout of the Jiangnan Daying

Background. The Taiping Rebellion was a civil war between the Qing dynasty and the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. By 1860, the Qing forces had been besieging Nanjing since 1853. The conflict involved major military campaigns in the Jiangnan region, where the Qing army faced significant challenges from the Taiping rebels.

Military Developments. In May 1860, the Taiping defeated the imperial forces besieging Nanjing, eliminating them from the region. This victory opened the way for a successful invasion of southern Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. The Taiping rebels subsequently took Hangzhou, Changzhou, and Suzhou, expanding their control in the east.

Strategic Impact. The destruction of the Qing army in Jiangnan allowed the Taiping to secure the wealthiest region of the Qing Empire. This success facilitated further military operations, including attempts to take Shanghai, although these were later repulsed by Qing troops supported by European officers.