捻子と捻軍 : 清末農民戰爭の一側面

Abstract

The Nien-tzu organization, which was the core of the Nien-tzu Rebellion (1853-68), was not a simple secret society affiliated with the Pai-lien-chiao (白蓮教) religion, as often said, but a spontaneous association of outlaws. It sprang up as a result of the then prevailing agrarian distress and intensified social stratification in the Huai-ho region, while illicit traffic in salt constituted the organization's financial background. The failure of the movement was largely due to its narrow regionalism and clan-like exclusiveness which prevented unity wit hin the organization. But in some uncompromising leaders (nien-t'ou) such as Chang Lo-hsing (張樂行) we find the true nature of the movement as a peasant war.