Taiping

For just about any Taiping inquiry, we can turn to u/EnclavedMicrostate, whose flair profile contains more than you'd ever thought you'd want to know about the Taiping. These following threads address your question specifically:

• On some causes behind the Taiping;
• On how Hong Xiuquan rallied people;
• and also how they expanded;
• and on motivations for people supporting the Taiping.

But as always, anyone who also knows about the Taiping shouldn't feel discouraged! If you'd like to contribute, please don't let this post bar you from doing so. More answers are always welcome!