What was the Northern Chinese Famine of 1876–1879?

The Northern Chinese Famine of 1876–1879 was a devastating period of widespread starvation in China, primarily caused by severe drought that led to extensive crop failures across several northern provinces.

What is the Chinese name for the Northern Chinese Famine of 1876–1879?

The Chinese name for the Northern Chinese Famine of 1876–1879 is 丁丑奇荒 (Dīngchǒu qí huāng).

During what years did the Northern Chinese Famine occur?

The Northern Chinese Famine occurred over a four-year period, from 1876 to 1879.

What were the primary causes of the Northern Chinese Famine of 1876–1879?

The famine was primarily caused by drought, which resulted in significant crop failures. This lack of food led to widespread starvation.

What natural climate phenomenon is believed to have influenced the drought conditions during the famine?

The drought conditions that precipitated the famine are believed to have been influenced by the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), a climate pattern that affects weather worldwide.

Which specific provinces in northern China were most severely affected by the famine?

The famine primarily impacted the provinces of Henan, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Zhili (which is now Hebei), and Shandong.

What is the estimated total death toll attributed to the Northern Chinese Famine?

It is estimated that between 9.5 and 13 million people died as a direct result of the famine.

Which province experienced the highest number of fatalities during the famine?

Shanxi province suffered the most catastrophic loss of life, with an estimated 5.5 million people dying from starvation and related causes.

How many people are estimated to have died in Zhili province due to the famine?

Approximately 2.5 million people perished in Zhili province as a consequence of the famine.

What was the estimated death toll in Henan province during the famine?

The famine claimed the lives of an estimated 1 million people in Henan province.

How many deaths were recorded in Shandong province as a result of the famine?

About 0.5 million, or half a million, people died in Shandong province due to the famine.

Beyond direct fatalities, what was the overall population reduction observed in census data, accounting for migration?

When considering both deaths and the migration of people fleeing the famine, census data indicated a total population reduction of 23 million people in the affected regions.

What percentage of its population did Shanxi province lose due to the famine and subsequent migration?

Shanxi province experienced a significant population decline of 48%, which amounted to approximately 8.18 million people.

What was the population loss percentage for Shaanxi province during this period?

Shaanxi province saw a population decrease of 25%, representing about 2.43 million people.

How did the population of Henan province change as a result of the famine and migration?

Henan province experienced a population reduction of 22%, totaling approximately 7.48 million people.

When did the drought conditions that led to the famine begin?

The drought that triggered the famine began in the year 1875, preceding the main period of starvation.

Who was a prominent British missionary known for bringing attention to the famine and organizing relief efforts?

Timothy Richard, a British missionary, played a crucial role by publicizing the drought-induced famine in Shandong and appealing for financial assistance from the foreign community.

In which province did Timothy Richard first bring attention to the famine?

Timothy Richard first publicized the famine in Shandong province during the summer of 1876.

To whom did Timothy Richard initially appeal for funds to aid famine victims?

He appealed to the foreign community residing in Shanghai for financial support to help those suffering from the famine.

What committee was formed in March 1877 to coordinate relief efforts?

The Shandong Famine Relief Committee was established in March 1877 to organize and manage relief operations.

Which groups of people were involved in the Shandong Famine Relief Committee?

The committee comprised diplomats, businessmen, and representatives from both Protestant and Roman Catholic missionary groups.

Which province did Timothy Richard identify as having even more severe famine conditions?

Timothy Richard discovered that Shanxi province was experiencing even worse drought and famine conditions compared to Shandong.

When did Timothy Richard undertake his journey to Shanxi province to document the famine?

Richard traveled to Shanxi province during the early part of 1878 to witness and record the extent of the famine.

What harrowing details did Timothy Richard record in his 'famine diary' about the conditions in Shanxi?

Richard's diary documented desperate measures such as people dismantling their homes, selling wives and daughters, consuming roots and carrion, and described horrific scenes of individuals lying helpless on roadsides, dead bodies being scavenged by animals, and even instances of cannibalism.

What was the estimated population of Shanxi province before the famine, and what proportion of this population perished?

Shanxi province had an estimated population of 15 million people prior to the famine. Approximately 5.5 million of these individuals died, representing a devastating loss.

Which specific areas within Shanxi were most severely impacted by the famine?

The most severely affected areas within Shanxi were its remote and difficult-to-access rural districts.

How was international financial support mobilized for the famine relief efforts?

An international network was established to gather donations, with the majority of the funds originating from England and contributions from foreign businesses operating within China.

What was the approximate monetary value of the funds raised by international efforts, based on 2012 silver prices?

The international relief efforts raised 204,000 silver taels, which was equivalent to approximately $7 to $10 million in 2012 silver prices.

How much financial aid did the Roman Catholic missions contribute, and how effective were their efforts?

The Roman Catholic missions raised at least 125,000 taels, roughly equivalent to $5 million. Their greater physical presence in the famine-stricken regions allowed them to operate effectively at the local level.

How many missionaries, both Catholic and Protestant, were involved in administering the relief efforts?

Over 40 Roman Catholic missionaries and 31 Protestant missionaries were actively involved in administering the famine relief operations.

Approximately how many people benefited from the relief efforts, particularly in Shanxi province?

The organized relief efforts provided assistance to about 3.4 million people in Shanxi province alone.

Can you name two prominent Protestant missionaries who participated in the famine relief work?

Arthur Henderson Smith and William Scott Ament were two notable Protestant missionaries who played significant roles in the famine relief efforts.

What tragic event occurred involving some of the Protestant missionaries during the famine?

Tragically, three Protestant missionaries succumbed to disease, likely typhus, which was widespread in the famine-affected areas.

Besides foreign aid organizations, who else contributed to addressing the famine?

The Qing government, alongside Chinese philanthropists and businessmen, also mobilized resources and raised funds to combat the famine.

What was the title of an illustrated pamphlet created by Chinese relief efforts?

The Chinese relief efforts produced an illustrated pamphlet titled "Pictures to Draw Tears from Iron" to garner support and funds.

What were the primary concerns of the Chinese regarding the foreign relief efforts?

The Chinese harbored concerns that foreign missionaries might exploit their relief work to spread Christianity and to adopt and convert orphaned children.

What specific actions did Chinese relief efforts take in response to their concerns about foreign missionaries?

In response, Chinese efforts focused on raising substantial funds to establish their own orphanages and to purchase the freedom of women and children who had been sold into servitude.

Where did the majority of foreign relief efforts concentrate, and where did the private Chinese efforts focus?

Most foreign relief efforts were directed towards Shanxi province, while private Chinese efforts concentrated primarily on Henan and Shandong provinces.

What natural event signaled the end of the most severe phase of the famine?

The end of the famine's most critical period was marked by the return of heavy rains in June 1879, followed by a successful harvest that autumn.

What were some of the lasting demographic consequences of the famine on rural areas?

The famine resulted in significant depopulation of many rural areas due to starvation, disease outbreaks, and the migration of destitute survivors to urban centers.

How did foreign observers typically interpret the high mortality rate of the famine?

Foreign observers generally attributed the immense loss of life to China's perceived 'backwardness' and the perceived inefficiency and corruption within the Qing government's administration.

How did the famine influence the Chinese perspective on their nation and the ruling dynasty?

The famine heightened the Chinese awareness of their 'material inferiority' and 'insulted cultural pride,' contributing to increased dissatisfaction with the Qing dynasty's rule.

What were the expectations of Protestant missionaries regarding the long-term impact of their famine relief work?

Protestant missionaries anticipated that their involvement in famine relief would cultivate goodwill among the Chinese population towards foreigners and create favorable conditions for future missionary endeavors.

Which group of missionaries significantly increased their presence in Shanxi province after the famine concluded?

The Oberlin Band, along with other Protestant missionaries, began establishing a more substantial presence in Shanxi province following the famine.

What does the image caption 'Victims of the famine forced to sell their children from *The Famine in China* (1878)' describe?

The image caption describes a scene from 1878, illustrating individuals suffering from the famine who were driven to the desperate act of selling their children, as depicted in the publication *The Famine in China*.

What does the 1878 illustration depicting Chinese immigrants as locusts fleeing Uncle Sam's farm symbolize?

This illustration symbolizes the mass migration of Chinese people, portrayed as locusts, fleeing the devastation of famine in their homeland and seeking refuge in places like the United States, represented by Uncle Sam's farm.

What other major famine occurred in a different part of the world during a similar timeframe?

The Great Famine of 1876–1878 occurred in another region during a comparable period, highlighting a global pattern of severe food shortages.

Which significant geopolitical event is listed in the 'See also' section alongside the Northern Chinese Famine?

The Great Eastern Crisis is listed in the 'See also' section, suggesting potential connections or concurrent major events.

What was the total estimated population reduction across the affected provinces, considering both deaths and migration?

The combined impact of deaths and migration resulted in an estimated total population reduction of 23 million people in the affected northern Chinese provinces.

What specific meteorological pattern is identified as a potential influence on the drought that caused the famine?

The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is identified as a factor that likely influenced the drought conditions leading to the famine.

Northern Chinese Famine Of 1876 U20131879 Wiki: The Great Northern Famine: A Historical Reckoning (1876-1879)

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Overview

Period and Scope

The Northern Chinese Famine of 1876–1879 was a catastrophic event marked by severe drought-induced crop failures leading to widespread starvation across northern China.

Devastating Mortality

Estimates suggest that between 9.5 and 13 million people perished during this period. The province of Shanxi was particularly devastated, losing an estimated 5.5 million lives, representing approximately 48% of its population.

Geographic Impact

The famine primarily affected the provinces of Shanxi, Zhili (modern Hebei), Henan, and Shandong. The cumulative population reduction across these regions, accounting for both deaths and migration, was substantial, with Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Henan experiencing significant demographic decline.

Causes and Contributing Factors

Prolonged Drought

The immediate trigger for the famine was a severe and prolonged drought that began in 1875. This lack of rainfall decimated agricultural yields, the primary source of sustenance for the region's population.

El Niño Influence

Scientific analysis indicates that the drought conditions were significantly influenced by the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon. This large-scale climate pattern disrupted weather systems, leading to the arid conditions experienced in northern China.

Societal and Governmental Impact

Human Suffering and Displacement

Beyond the staggering death toll, the famine forced millions into desperate circumstances. Families were broken, and many were compelled to sell their children or resort to consuming roots, carrion, clay, and leaves to survive. Widespread displacement occurred as destitute people migrated to urban areas.

Strain on the Qing Dynasty

The scale of the disaster exposed the weaknesses and inefficiencies of the Qing government. Foreign observers attributed the immense loss of life to the perceived "backwardness" of China and the corruption within its administration. This event contributed to growing internal dissatisfaction and challenged the dynasty's legitimacy.

Relief Efforts and Challenges

Early Appeals and Committees

British missionary Timothy Richard played a pivotal role by publicizing the famine in Shandong in 1876 and appealing for aid from the foreign community in Shanghai. This led to the establishment of the Shandong Famine Relief Committee in March 1877, involving diplomats, businessmen, and missionaries.

Missionary Involvement

Missionaries, both Roman Catholic and Protestant, were instrumental in administering relief on the ground. Timothy Richard's harrowing accounts from Shanxi, detailing extreme suffering, galvanized further support. Roman Catholic missions, in particular, were effective due to their established local presence, raising significant funds.

International and Domestic Funding

An international network was formed to solicit donations, primarily from England and foreign businesses operating in China. These efforts, alongside contributions from Chinese philanthropists and businessmen, raised substantial sums, estimated at over 204,000 silver taels (equivalent to $7-10 million in 2012 silver prices).

Tensions and Rivalries

The relief efforts were not without friction. Chinese officials and philanthropists expressed concerns that foreign missionaries aimed to spread Christianity and adopt orphaned children. This led to parallel Chinese relief initiatives focused on establishing orphanages and redeeming individuals sold into slavery, often targeting different regions than the foreign efforts.

The Return of Rains and Lasting Consequences

End of the Famine

By June 1879, heavy rains began to fall across the affected regions. The subsequent autumn harvest marked the end of the most severe phase of the famine. However, the demographic landscape had been irrevocably altered, with many rural areas left depopulated.

Shifting Perceptions

The famine profoundly impacted perceptions. Foreign observers viewed the event as evidence of China's "backwardness" and the Qing government's failings. Conversely, many Chinese became increasingly aware of their nation's "material inferiority" and "insulted cultural pride," fueling dissatisfaction with the ruling dynasty. Protestant missionaries saw their relief work as a means to foster goodwill and open doors for future evangelism.

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References

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The Great Northern Famine

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

Overview 🌍

📅 Period and Scope

💀 Devastating Mortality

📍 Geographic Impact

Causes and Contributing Factors ☁️

🏜️ Prolonged Drought

🌊 El Niño Influence

Societal and Governmental Impact 📉

💔 Human Suffering and Displacement

🏛️ Strain on the Qing Dynasty

Relief Efforts and Challenges 🤝

🗣️ Early Appeals and Committees

⛪ Missionary Involvement

💰 International and Domestic Funding

⚖️ Tensions and Rivalries

The Return of Rains and Lasting Consequences 🌧️

🌱 End of the Famine

💡 Shifting Perceptions

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References

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Disclaimer ⚠️

📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Overview

Period and Scope

Devastating Mortality

Geographic Impact

Causes and Contributing Factors

Prolonged Drought

El Niño Influence

Societal and Governmental Impact

Human Suffering and Displacement

Strain on the Qing Dynasty

Relief Efforts and Challenges

Early Appeals and Committees

Missionary Involvement

International and Domestic Funding

Tensions and Rivalries

The Return of Rains and Lasting Consequences

End of the Famine

Shifting Perceptions

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice