“The main cause of the White Lotus Rebellion was the nature of imperial rule under the Qing dynasty.” Discuss.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that the main cause of the White Lotus Rebellion was the nature of imperial rule under the Qing dynasty. Causes may predate the timeframe but they must be clearly linked to the issue raised in the question. Candidates may refer to the impoverishment of many peasants in central China, which contributed to the outbreak of the rebellion. This was, at least in part, due to the tax burden placed upon the peasantry by the Qing government, as well as increasing corruption on the part of Qing officials. Reform, which might have helped alleviate some of these problems, was difficult as Confucian bureaucratic principles adopted by the Qing dynasty contributed to a great reluctance (or inability) to reform. Other relevant factors may be addressed, for example the White Lotus movement’s desire to remove the “alien” Manchu (Qing) dynasty from power, but with a focus on the issue in the question. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.