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Boxer Rebellion in China

Last Updated : 23 Feb, 2024
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Discover the Boxer Rebellion in China date, Boxer Rebellion in China summary, Boxer Rebellion in China map, and Boxer Rebellion in China political cartoon. Perfect for Boxer Rebellion in China UPSC preparation. Explore the Causes of Boxer Rebellion in China, Boxer Rebellion in China effects, and Boxer Rebellion in China response with a Boxer Rebellion in China quizlet touch. Dive into Boxer Rebellion in China 1900 impact and Boxer Rebellion in China outcome, all condensed for a concise exploration of this Boxer Rebellion in China history event.

The Boxer Rebellion, around 1900 in China, was a revolt against foreign influence. It started with peasants and later got support from the government. A secret group in China called the Boxers, started using force to remove all foreigners from the country. To stop these violent actions, several countries sent their armies to China.

The Boxer Rebellion emerged from a combination of socio-economic factors, anti-imperialist sentiment, and the influence of secret societies. Widespread violence and strife during the Boxer Rebellion are thought to have claimed the lives of 100,000–200,000 individuals.

Boxer-Rebellion-in-China

Boxer Rebellion in China

In this article, we will look into the Boxer Rebellion, an overview of the causes, a summary of the rebellion, and its effects on China’s future trajectory.

Boxer Rebellion in China Date

  • Occurred: 1899 to 1901.

Boxer Rebellion in China Summary

  • An anti-foreign, anti-colonial, and anti-Christian uprising by the “Boxers” aimed at expelling foreign influence.

Boxer Rebellion in China History

The Boxer Rebellion, spanning 1899-1901, emerged from economic hardships and anti-foreign sentiments in China. Led by the Boxers, a secret society, the rebellion targeted foreigners and missionaries. The siege of foreign legations in Beijing ensued, met with intervention from the Eight-Nation Alliance. Empress Dowager Cixi played a pivotal role, and the aftermath saw the signing of the punitive Boxer Protocol. This rebellion left a lasting impact on China’s national identity and foreign relations, shaping its trajectory in the 20th century.

What was the Boxer Rebellion in China?

China saw the Boxer Rebellion, an anti-foreign and anti-Christian rebellion, from 1899 to 1901. A covert organization known as “The Righteous and Harmonious Fists,” or the Boxers, was responsible for the uprising. Peasants made up the majority of this group, and they were angry about foreigners living in China as well as what they saw as the growth of Christianity and Western influence.

The Boxers got their name from practicing martial arts, which they claimed rendered them bulletproof. They also thought they had magical abilities because they were possessed by spirits. Their insurrection against the outsiders was stoked by this fusion of martial disciplines and spiritual ideas.

Causes of Boxer Rebellion in China

A major rebellion in China in the late 19th century was the Boxer Rebellion, often referred to as the Yihetuan Movement. The Boxer Rebellion in Chinese history had several causes, including:

1. The Economic and Social context

The socioeconomic climate in China at the time was one of the primary causes of the Boxer Rebellion. After dominating China for more than 200 years, the Qing Dynasty was dealing with several difficulties. Overpopulation and unemployment resulted from the population’s rapid growth. People became widely hungry and impoverished as a result.

2. Rise of Nationalism

In the 19th century, nationalism increased in many nations, including China. The Chinese people desired to preserve their rich history and culture from outside influences because they were so proud of it. The Opium Wars, in which the British Empire crushed China, fostered this sense of nationalism. This setback was viewed by the Chinese people as a disgrace and a danger to their sovereignty.

3. The Boxer Movement

The Boxers, originally from Shandong province in China, were a secret group called the group of Righteous and Harmonious Fists. They were a group of underprivileged peasants who thought they were immune to alien weaponry and practiced a special kind of martial arts. They also thought they could drive out foreigners from China and that they were bulletproof.

4. Anti-Christian Sentiments

The advent of Christianity in China was one of the main catalysts for the Boxer Rebellion. Christian missionaries had been working in China for many years, and by the late 1800s, they were a considerably larger group. For many Chinese people, particularly the Boxers, this represented a threat to traditional Chinese beliefs and values.

5. Weakness of Qing Dynasty

The demise and vulnerability of the Qing Dynasty played a major role in the outbreak of the Boxer Rebellion. The Manchu emperors had lost control over the country and were unable to deal with China’s social and economic issues. Because the government was unable to uphold law and order and defend its population from foreign aggression, secret societies such as the Boxers filled the power vacuum.

Boxer Rebellion in China Response

  • The Qing Dynasty eventually supported the Boxers, leading to conflict with foreign powers.

Timeline of Boxer Rebellion in China

Below table lists the complete timeline of the Boxer Rebellion in China:

Date

Event

November 1899

Formation of the Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fisls (Boxers) in Shandong China.

May 1900

Boxer Rebellion officially begins with attacks on foreign missionaries and Chinese Christion.

June 1900

Boxers besiege foreign legations in Beijing.

June 17, 1900

Empress Dowager Cixi declarers support for the Boxers.

June 20, 1900

Eight- Nation Alliance ( including troops from Japan, Russian, Britain, France, and others) formed to suppress the rebellion.

June 21, 1900

Siege of the foreign legations in Beijing Begins.

August 14, 1900

Relief of the legations by the Eight- Nation Alliance Force.

September 7, 1901

Boxer Protocol signed, ending the rebellion and imposing heavy indemnities on China.

1901- 1902

Allied troops remain in China to enforce the terms of the Boxer Protocol.

1908

Empress Dowager Cixi dies.

Boxer Rebellion in China 1900

  • The year when the rebellion significantly intensified, leading to the siege of the International Legations.

Boxer Rebellion in China Map

  • Key Locations: Beijing, Shandong, and Northern China, highlighting areas of major conflicts and foreign legations.

How did the Boxer Rebellion End?

The events that led to the end of the Boxer Rebellion are:

1. Foreign Intervention

When the Boxer Rebellion happened, other countries got involved to protect their people and interests in China. Countries like Britain, France, Germany, the United States, Russia, and Japan joined forces and sent over 45,000 soldiers to Beijing. They also asked the Qing government to make sure their citizens were safe and pay for the damages caused by the Boxers.

2. Siege of Beijing

As the foreign soldiers got closer to Beijing, many foreigners and Chinese Christians went to a safe area called the legation quarter. It was like a special neighborhood with embassies from different countries. But soon, the soldiers surrounded this area and didn’t let anyone in or out for 55 days. Despite all the challenges, the foreigners and their allies were determined to stay strong and protect everyone inside. They refused to give up, even when things got really hard.

3. Fall of Beijing

On August 14, 1900, the foreign soldiers broke through the walls of Beijing and went into the city. The Boxers and Chinese soldiers moved back to the Forbidden City, which was like the main palace of the Qing rulers.

4. Treaty of Boxer Protocol

After the Qing government surrendered and decided to make peace, they started talking with the foreign countries. Finally, on September 7, 1901, they signed something called the Treaty of Boxer Protocol, which ended the Boxer Rebellion.

Boxer Rebellion in China Significance

Boxer Rebellion is significant because of the following reasons:

  • Symbol of Resistance: Boxer Rebellion was a symbol of Chinese resistance against foreign influence. The leader, Boxer Rebellion, strongly believed in preserving traditional Chinese values and culture, seeing Western influence as corrupting.
  • Leader of the Boxers: Boxer Rebellion played a crucial role in leading the Boxers, a secret society aiming to protect China from Western influence. He organized and mobilized peasants to stand up against foreigners.
  • Anti-Christian Sentiments: The rebellion was fueled by anti-Christian feelings among the Chinese. Boxer Rebellion and others perceived Christianity as a threat to their traditional beliefs and cultural practices.
  • Support from Empress Dowager Cixi: Empress Dowager Cixi, a powerful figure in China, supported and encouraged the Boxers. She saw them as a way to remove foreign influence. Her backing gave legitimacy and strength to the Boxers and Boxer Rebellion.
  • Attacks on Foreigners: Boxers, led by Boxer Rebellion, targeted foreign missionaries, converts, and Chinese Christians. They believed eliminating these influences would purify China and restore its traditional ways.
  • Siege of Foreign Legations: In June 1900, the Boxers, led by Boxer Rebellion, laid siege to foreign legations in Beijing. The 55-day siege resulted in thousands of deaths among foreigners and Chinese Christians seeking refuge.
  • Failure of the Rebellion: Despite strong efforts, the Boxers, including Boxer Rebellion, were defeated by the Eight-Nation Alliance. The alliance, consisting of major Western powers, dealt a significant blow to the rebellion, marking its failure.

Boxer Rebellion in China Outcome

  • Ended with the Boxer Protocol in 1901, imposing heavy indemnities on China and increasing foreign influence.

Why did the Boxer Rebellion Fail?

The Boxers were a group of peasants from northern China who practiced martial arts and believed they were bulletproof because of their spiritual rituals. They didn’t like Christians or foreigners, blaming them for diseases and problems in China. The rebellion started because of tough times in China, like droughts and poverty, and because people were feeling proud of being Chinese and didn’t want outsiders messing with their country.

They thought the Qing government was weak and didn’t protect China enough, so they took matters into their own hands. The rebellion began with attacks on Christians and foreigners in 1899 and quickly grew into a big fight across China. Foreign countries joined in to protect their people, and the rebellion lasted over a year, causing a lot of damage and loss of life.

Eventually, the rebellion was put down in 1901, but it left China weakened and angry at foreigners. The Qing dynasty fell, and China moved towards becoming a republic. The rebellion also made foreign countries rethink how they dealt with China, realizing it was a strong nation with its own identity and pride.

Boxer Rebellion in China and Western Influence

  • The rebellion was a direct response to increasing Western influence and imperialism in China.

Boxer Rebellion in China Effects

The Boxer Rebellion had a profound impact on Chinese society, causing immense suffering and destruction. Some of the significant effects are:

  1. The Boxer Rebellion caused a lot of fighting and around 100,000 to 200,000 people died. Many regular Chinese folks got caught in the fighting and had to leave their homes.
  2. The Boxers damaged foreign businesses, schools, and churches, causing big losses in money and property for both Chinese and foreign businesses.
  3. The Boxer Rebellion showed that the rulers, the Qing dynasty, weren’t strong enough to control the situation. This made their authority even weaker among the people.
  4. The Boxer Rebellion wasn’t just a local problem. Countries like the United States, Japan, and European nations sent their soldiers to China to protect their own people and interests.
  5. Before the rebellion, China was trying to become more modern and open to ideas from other countries. But the rebellion and foreign intervention stopped these efforts, slowing down China’s progress.
  6. The rebellion made Chinese people even more against foreigners. This led to more attacks on foreigners and their businesses in the years after the rebellion.

Boxer Rebellion in China UPSC

  • Important for civil services exams due to its impact on Chinese history, Western imperialism, and international relations.

Boxer Rebellion in China Studocu

  • Academic resources and study guides offer detailed analyses and historical accounts of the rebellion.

Boxer Rebellion in China Reasons

  • Rooted in a complex mix of economic hardship, cultural conflict, and a pushback against imperialism and Christian conversion efforts.

Boxer Rebellion in China Political Cartoon

  • Often depict the siege of Beijing and international intervention, illustrating Western perceptions of the conflict.

Boxer Rebellion in China Quizlet

What year did the Boxer Rebellion begin?

A) 1899

B) 1900

C) 1901

D) 1898

Answer: A) 1899

Which of the following was a cause of the Boxer Rebellion?

A) Economic prosperity

B) Love for Western cultures

C) Anti-foreign sentiment

D) Support for Christian missionaries

Answer: C) Anti-foreign sentiment

What was the outcome of the Boxer Rebellion?

A) Boxers gained control of China

B) Establishment of the Republic of China

C) China faced no consequences

D) China signed the Boxer Protocol

Answer: D) China signed the Boxer Protocol

Which international coalition intervened in the Boxer Rebellion?

A) NATO

B) Eight-Nation Alliance

C) United Nations

D) ASEAN

Answer: B) Eight-Nation Alliance

What was a significant effect of the Boxer Rebellion on China?

A) Decreased foreign influence

B) Economic sanctions and indemnities

C) Improved relations with Western countries

D) Rapid industrialization

Answer: B) Economic sanctions and indemnities

Summary – Boxer Rebellion in China

The Boxer Rebellion emerged from a combination of socio-economic factors, anti-imperialist sentiment, and the influence of secret societies. The uprising’s violent nature and subsequent suppression had lasting effects on China. It weakened foreign powers’ influence, inspired political reforms, and intensified nationalism in the country. The Boxer Rebellion remains a critical event that shaped China’s future trajectory and its struggle for independence and modernization.

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FAQs on Boxer Rebellion in China

What was Boxer Rebellion?

In the late 1800s, there was a violent insurrection in China called the Boxer Rebellion. It was headed by a group known as the Boxers, who rejected outside influence and held Christians and outsiders accountable for China’s woes.

What caused the Boxer Rebellion in China?

The Boxer Rebellion was caused by anti-foreign sentiment, economic distress, and opposition to imperialist expansion and Christian missionary activity.

What was the outcome of the Boxer Rebellion in China?

The rebellion ended with the Boxer Protocol in 1901, imposing heavy indemnities on China and increasing foreign influence.

How did the Boxer Rebellion in China affect its relationship with Western countries?

It strained China’s relations with Western powers, leading to more foreign control within China until the rise of nationalism in the 20th century.

What were the significant events during the Boxer Rebellion in China?

Key events include the siege of the International Legations in Beijing and the intervention of the Eight-Nation Alliance.

How is the Boxer Rebellion in China taught in schools and universities?

It’s taught as a pivotal moment in Chinese history, emphasizing the impact of imperialism and the rise of Chinese nationalism.

What are some primary sources for studying the Boxer Rebellion in China?

Primary sources include diplomatic correspondence, missionary accounts, contemporary newspapers, and the Boxer Protocol document.

How did the Boxer Rebellion in China impact the Qing Dynasty?

The rebellion weakened the Qing Dynasty, leading to increased foreign intervention and contributing to its eventual collapse in 1912.

What role did foreign powers play in the Boxer Rebellion in China?

Foreign powers, through the Eight-Nation Alliance, intervened militarily to suppress the rebellion and protect their nationals and interests.

Are there any documentaries or films about the Boxer Rebellion in China?

Yes, there are several documentaries and films that explore the events and implications of the Boxer Rebellion from various perspectives.

How has the perception of the Boxer Rebellion in China changed over time?

Perceptions have evolved, with modern interpretations viewing the Boxers as part of the broader anti-imperialist struggle and the complexities of China’s transition into the modern era.

Why did Boxer Rebellion happen?

Economic problems, anti-foreign sentiment, and the influence of secret societies all contributed to the uprising. Conflicts resulted from the Boxers’ targeting of Christians and outsiders.

How many people died in the Boxer Rebellion?

Widespread violence and strife during the Boxer Rebellion are thought to have claimed the lives of 100,000–200,000 individuals.

Did the Boxer Rebellion inspire any political changes in China?

Yes, the Boxer Rebellion sparked a rise in nationalism and a desire for independence in China, which in turn sparked political reforms.



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