The Qing Dynasty Declines

In the early 1700s the Qing Dynasty began a long slow decline. As the population of China grew, it became more difficult to rule them. Leaders in the government raised taxes, and kept the money for themselves. The peasants became poorer, while the wealthy became richer.

In 1850 a revolt known as the Taiping Rebellion greatly weakened the Qing Dynasty, and lead to their being overthrown a few decades later.