Historedia
Person

Xianfeng Emperor

Events
3
Episodes
8
Years
1857–1860

Every event in Historedia whose sources name Xianfeng Emperor, with the role they cite and all of that event’s episodes. This is not a biography, and mentions are grouped by name, so two people with the same name can share this page.

Events and episodes

  1. Britain and France declare war on China (Second Opium War)

    1857–1858

    Role: Eighth emperor of the Qing dynasty

    1. 1857 · Hong KongAllied Force Assembly in Hong Kong

      British and French forces assembled in Hong Kong throughout 1857, despite delays caused by the Indian Mutiny.

    2. 3 March to April 1857 · British Parliament (election held nationally; passages do not state the election's location)Parliamentary Censure and General Election

      The British government lost a parliamentary vote on the Arrow incident, leading to dissolution of Parliament and an April 1857 election that strengthened Palmerston's majority.

    3. December 1857-January 1858 · CantonJoint Attack on Canton

      A joint British and French army attacked and occupied Canton in late 1857, resulting in casualties.

  2. Treaty of Tientsin ends the first phase of the Second Opium War

    1858

    Role: Qing Emperor

    1. June 1858 · TianjinSigning of the Treaty of Tientsin

      Western powers signed unequal treaties with the Qing dynasty in Tianjin, ending the first phase of the Second Opium War.

    2. 18 June 1858 · TianjinUS Treaty Signing

      The United States signed its specific treaty of peace, amity, and commerce with China at Tianjin.

    3. 26 June 1858 · TianjinBritish Treaty Signing

      James Bruce signed the peace treaty between the Queen of Great Britain and the Emperor of China.

  3. Convention of Peking ends the Second Opium War; Old Summer Palace burned

    1860

    Role: Qing Emperor

    1. 18 October 1860 (order given; destruction 18–19 October by Western reckoning) · Old Summer PalaceBurning of the Old Summer Palace

      Lord Elgin ordered the destruction of the Old Summer Palace in retaliation for the torture and execution of prisoners, causing incalculable cultural loss.

    2. 24 October 1860 · Ministry of RitesSigning of the Convention of Peking

      Prince Gong signed the Convention of Peking, ratifying the Treaty of Tientsin and ending the Second Opium War, while the Xianfeng Emperor had fled.

Sources

  1. Xianfeng Emperor Wikipedia, revision of 2026-08-22
  2. Treaty of Tientsin Wikipedia
  3. Second Opium War Wikipedia
  4. Convention of Peking Wikipedia, revision of 2026-10-01