Hong Xiuquan: When a Failed Exam Created History's Deadliest Civil War

In 1837, Hong Xiuquan failed China's civil service exam for the fourth time and had a complete mental breakdown. During fever-induced visions, he met God and Jesus Christ - who revealed that Hong was actually Jesus's younger brother, sent to save China from demons. When he recovered, Hong decided to overthrow the Qing Dynasty and establish the "Heavenly Kingdom of Great Peace." What followed was the deadliest conflict of the 19th century.

Hong gathered followers by blending Christianity with Chinese traditions, banning foot-binding, opium, and alcohol, and promising equality between men and women. His Taiping Rebellion exploded into a full-scale civil war that lasted 14 years and killed an estimated 20-30 million people - more than World War I. At  ...