What?

• The White Lotus Revolution was not one event, but a series of events occurring from the 1330s to 1387. The first attempt at a revolution was in the 1330s and was fostered by a Buddhist monk from Jiangxi (a province currently located in the People's Republic of China) named Peng Yingyu, his motive for doing so was prior research into the society and alignment in beliefs. The attempt was unsuccessful, and despite prior organising, no rebellion occurred as a result of his original attempt at organising one. Citizens of China playing such a role were seldom left to live, however, Peng Yingyu fled to a nearby province named Anhui (also currently located in the People's Republic of China) allowing him to survive and continue pushing his agenda. Peng would then reorganise another rebellion in Anhui that would physically manifest, but result in Peng's death, this rebellion, as well as many future events would be known as the "Red Turban Rebellion) due to the decision to shift the colour of the partakers clothing from white to red. Whilst not directly affiliated with the White Lotus, a revolution inspired by their ideals occurred in 1352 around the area of Guangzhou (now known as Canton, or Kwangchow). The individual who organised this rebellion is not known, however Zhu Yuanzhang (whom would later found the Ming Dynasty) would partake in this revolution and would quickly rise to the head of the rebellion. People often attribute the success of the rebellion to him forbidding his soldiers from pillaging, which was fuelled by the religious motives of the White Lotus, three years after the revolution had begun, it would have spread through large portions of China. One year after this, the movement (with Zhu Yuanzhang still leading it) would successfully capture Jiqing (now Nanjing) and would rename it to Yingtian. It was in Nanjing that Yuanzhang would begin to renounce his beliefs and affiliation with the White Lotus. This greatly assisted in his swift rise to power, as most people in the location were of Confucian belief. Time appeared to be in favour of the rebellion, as at this point in time there was internal conflict with the Mongols, which only further assisted Yuanzhang in extending his rule and enforcing his power. 16 years after the beginning of rebellion, they would lay claim to much of the former capital of Beijing and would continue to extend their reach to the southwest of China. After continuos battle and war for 30 years, the Ming Dynasty was founded, all of China was liberated and Zhu Yuanzg claimed the titled of Hongwu Emperor.