The Boxer Rebellion 1898-1901

Who was involved:The "Boxers". This was the name that the foreigners gave to a Chinese secret society known as the Yihequan ("righteous and harmonious fists"). The group practiced certain boxing rituals in the belief that this made them invulnerable.Aims of the rebellion:It attempted to drive all foreigners from China.Some events of the rebellion:Bu late 1899 the Boxers were openly attacking Chinese Christians and Western Missionaries. By May 1900, Boxer bands were roaming the countryside around the capital at Beijing.In early June an international relief force of 2,100 men was dispatched from the Northern port of Tianjin in Beijing. On June 13 the Chinese empress dowager (widow of the emperor) ordered imperial forces to block the advance of the foreign troops, and the small relief column was turned back. Meanwhile in Beijing the Boxers burnt Churches and foreign residences and killed suspected Chinese Christians on sight.On August 14 1900, an eight nation international force (including the USA, Britain, Germany and France) finally captured Beijing, relieving the foreigners and Christians besieged there since June 20. While foreign troops looted the capital, the empress dowager and her court fled to Xi'an.Results of the rebellion:After extensive discussion, a protocol (draft treaty) was finally signed in September 1901. This provided the execution of government officials who had supported the Boxers, provisions for foreign troops to be stationed in Beijing, and reparations of 67 million pounds - more than the government's annual tax revenue, to be paid over a course of 39 years to the eight nations involved.The great powers stopped short of finally colonizing China. From the Boxer rebellion, they had learnt that the best way to govern China was through the Chinese dynasty, instead of direct dealing with the Chinese people. The effect of China was a weakening of the dynasty as well as a weakened national defense. 

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