Other meanings of Boxer Rebellion
History
The Boxer Rebellion (1899–1901) was a violent anti-foreign, anti-Christian uprising in China, driven by the secret society known as the Boxers (Yihetuan). It targeted Western and Japanese missionaries, merchants, and Chinese converts, culminating in a siege of foreign legations in Beijing and a brutal international military intervention.
The Boxers emerged from rural North China, blending martial arts, folk religion, and anti-Qing sentiments that later shifted to support the dynasty. Their name derived from the 'Boxers United in Righteousness' (Yihetuan), and they believed rituals made them invulnerable to bullets. Economic hardship, foreign economic encroachment, and the spread of Christianity fueled resentment, especially among peasants and unemployed laborers.
The movement was not monolithic; it included both anti-dynastic elements and those loyal to the Qing. The Empress Dowager Cixi, after initial hesitation, decided to support the Boxers in 1900, hoping to expel foreigners and preserve her power.
Violence escalated in 1900, with attacks on missionaries and Chinese Christians, destruction of railways and telegraph lines, and the murder of foreign nationals. In June, Boxers entered Beijing, and the foreign legations were besieged for 55 days. The Qing government declared war on the foreign powers, but regional governors in the south refused to comply, maintaining peace.
An international relief force of eight nations—including Britain, France, Germany, Russia, Japan, and the United States—marched to Beijing, lifting the siege on August 14, 1900. The allies then engaged in punitive expeditions, looting and exacting severe reprisals.
The rebellion ended with the signing of the Boxer Protocol on September 7, 1901, which imposed a massive indemnity of 450 million taels of silver (about $333 million then) on China, payable over 39 years. The protocol also allowed foreign troops to be stationed in Beijing and along the railway to the sea, and permanently banned the Boxer movement.
The Qing dynasty was severely weakened, accelerating its decline and eventual fall in 1911. The rebellion also prompted reforms, including the abolition of the civil service examination in 1905 and the establishment of modern schools.
One overlooked dimension is the role of Chinese Christians, who were often the primary targets; estimates of their deaths range from 20,000 to 30,000. The rebellion also had a significant impact on the Chinese diaspora, as anti-Chinese sentiment in the United States and elsewhere intensified.
Another niche fact: the Boxer Protocol's indemnity was later partially remitted by the United States, which used the funds to establish the Boxer Indemnity Scholarship Program, enabling Chinese students to study in America. This program had a lasting influence on Chinese education and modernization.
Additionally, the rebellion inspired the 'Boxer movement' in the Philippines, where a similar anti-foreign uprising occurred, though it was quickly suppressed.
The Boxer Rebellion remains a pivotal event in Chinese history, symbolizing the clash between tradition and modernity, and the costs of foreign intervention.
Help improve the encyclopedia. Reports go straight to the site manager.