Small Knife Society

The Small Knife Society (Hsiao-tao-hui) was a secret society active in the area of Shanghai, China, between about 1840 and 1855. Members of the society, rebelling against the Qing dynasty, occupied old Shanghai and many of the surrounding villages. Chinese gentry and merchants took refuge in the British and French concessions, which were regarded as the only safe place. The rebellion was suppressed and the society expelled from Shanghai in February 1855.