6.2 Causes and events of the Boxer Rebellion
4 min read•july 11, 2024
The Boxer Rebellion was a pivotal moment in China's struggle against foreign influence. Fueled by social, economic, and political factors, it saw Chinese peasants and the Qing government unite against Western powers and .
The rebellion's aftermath had far-reaching consequences for China. It exposed the Qing dynasty's weakness, led to harsh penalties under the , and accelerated calls for reform. This event marked a turning point in China's relationship with the West.
Factors Contributing to the Boxer Rebellion
Factors behind Boxer Rebellion
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- Social factors
- Increasing foreign presence in China led to growing resentment among Chinese population
- Christian missionaries attempting to convert Chinese people challenged traditional beliefs and practices
- Foreign control of Chinese territory through spheres of influence (, ) seen as infringement on sovereignty
- Growing resentment among Chinese population towards foreign influence fueled by perceived threats to cultural identity and way of life
- Formation of the Righteous and Harmonious Fists () aimed to defend traditional Chinese culture and religion against foreign encroachment
- Increasing foreign presence in China led to growing resentment among Chinese population
- Economic factors
- imposed by foreign powers caused economic hardship and loss of control
- Loss of tariff autonomy led to reduced government revenue and inability to protect domestic industries
- exempted foreigners from Chinese law, creating a sense of injustice and double standards
- Economic hardships faced by Chinese peasants exacerbated anti-foreign sentiment
- Natural disasters (droughts, floods) led to crop failures and food shortages
- Competition from foreign goods (textiles, opium) harmed domestic industries and livelihoods
- imposed by foreign powers caused economic hardship and loss of control
- Political factors
- Weakening of the Qing dynasty's power and legitimacy created a vacuum for popular unrest
- Inability to effectively respond to foreign encroachment demonstrated weakness and loss of control
- Humiliation from defeats in the (1894-1895) and the (1884-1885) undermined imperial authority
- 's support for the Boxers seen as a way to reassert Qing authority and resist foreign influence
- Boxers presented an opportunity to rally popular support and demonstrate strength against foreign powers
- Weakening of the Qing dynasty's power and legitimacy created a vacuum for popular unrest
Events and Foreign Influence
Timeline of Boxer Rebellion
- 1898: Boxers begin attacking Christian missionaries and Chinese converts in Shandong and Zhili provinces, targeting symbols of foreign influence
- : Boxers expand their activities, targeting foreign property (railways, churches) and personnel (diplomats, merchants) across northern China
- January 1900: Empress Dowager Cixi issues edicts supporting the Boxers, giving them official backing and encouragement
- May 1900: Boxers enter Beijing, besieging foreign legations and demanding the expulsion of all foreigners from China
- June 1900: Qing government declares war on foreign powers, aligning itself with the Boxers against the
- June-August 1900: Eight-Nation Alliance (foreign powers including Britain, France, Germany, Russia) sends troops to suppress the rebellion and lift the
- August 1900: Beijing captured by the Eight-Nation Alliance, ending the siege of the legations and defeating the Boxer forces
- September : Boxer Protocol signed, officially ending the rebellion and imposing harsh terms on China (indemnities, foreign troop presence)
Foreign influence in Boxer Rebellion
- Spheres of influence established by foreign powers divided China into exclusive economic and political zones
- Exclusive economic and political control over designated regions of China (, ) undermined Chinese sovereignty
- Perceived as an infringement on Chinese sovereignty and a symbol of foreign domination
- Unequal treaties forced upon China granted concessions to foreign powers and created resentment
- Concessions (extraterritoriality, control over tariffs) seen as humiliating and exploitative by the Chinese population
- Extraterritoriality exempted foreigners from Chinese law, creating a sense of injustice and double standards
- Missionary activities by Christian missionaries actively seeking to convert Chinese people
- Efforts to spread Christianity viewed as a threat to traditional Chinese culture and values (Confucianism, Buddhism)
- Missionary schools and hospitals seen as tools of cultural imperialism and foreign influence
- Foreign military presence in China to protect their nationals and interests
- Foreign troops (legation guards, railway guards) stationed in China considered a symbol of foreign domination and oppression
- Military defeats (Opium Wars, Sino-French War) demonstrated China's vulnerability and inability to resist foreign powers
Government Response and Consequences
Qing response to Boxer Rebellion
- Initial support for the Boxers by Empress Dowager Cixi and some Qing officials
- Believed the Boxers could help resist foreign influence and reassert Qing authority
- Edicts issued in support of the Boxers' actions, giving them official backing and encouragement
- Declaration of war on foreign powers in June 1900, aligning the Qing government with the Boxers
- Led to direct military confrontation with the Eight-Nation Alliance, which sent troops to suppress the rebellion
- Qing forces and Boxers ultimately defeated by the superior military power of the foreign alliance
- Defeat and humiliation as a result of the Boxer Rebellion and foreign intervention
- Beijing captured and the Forbidden City occupied by foreign troops, symbolizing the depth of China's defeat
- Boxer Protocol (1901) imposed harsh terms on China, including large indemnities and allowing foreign troops to station in Beijing
- Weakening of the Qing dynasty and its legitimacy in the aftermath of the Boxer Rebellion
- Rebellion exposed the Qing government's inability to protect China's interests and resist foreign encroachment
- Contributed to growing discontent and calls for political reform (constitutional monarchy, republicanism) that ultimately led to the dynasty's fall in 1911
Key Terms to Review (23)
1899: The year 1899 is significant in the context of the Boxer Rebellion, a violent anti-foreign and anti-Christian uprising in China. This year marked the beginning of heightened tensions between Chinese nationalists, known as the 'Boxers', and foreign powers that had established spheres of influence in China, leading to a confrontation that would ultimately escalate into widespread conflict. It was also the year when foreign intervention became increasingly visible, as several nations responded to the growing threat posed by the Boxers.
1901: The year 1901 marks a pivotal moment in Chinese history as it is the year when the Boxer Rebellion was officially suppressed, leading to significant political and social changes in China. This event is closely linked to a series of uprisings fueled by anti-foreign and anti-Christian sentiments, which arose in response to foreign imperialism and domestic struggles within China. The aftermath of the rebellion not only affected China's relations with Western powers but also set the stage for future reform movements within the country.
Anti-imperialism: Anti-imperialism is a political stance opposing imperialism and the domination of one country over another, advocating for the rights and self-determination of oppressed nations. This ideology emerged as a response to the exploitative practices of colonial powers, particularly in the context of resistance movements and national identity formation. In modern history, it played a crucial role in shaping political discourse, influencing events that led to the unification of groups against foreign domination.
Boxer Protocol: The Boxer Protocol was an agreement signed in September 1901 that ended the Boxer Rebellion in China, which was a violent uprising against foreign influence and Christian missionary activities. The protocol imposed severe penalties on China, including financial reparations and military occupation, while also granting foreign powers increased control over Chinese territory and sovereignty. Its significance lies in how it illustrated the consequences of international intervention and the ongoing struggle between traditional Chinese values and the encroachment of foreign powers.
Boxers: The Boxers were a secret society in China, officially known as the Yihequan, who led an anti-foreign and anti-Christian uprising between 1899 and 1901, culminating in the Boxer Rebellion. This movement arose from deep-seated resentment against foreign imperialism, exploitation, and cultural encroachment, ultimately targeting foreign nationals and Chinese Christians. The Boxers believed they could harness supernatural powers to protect themselves and their communities from foreign influence and domination.
Chinese Folk Religion: Chinese folk religion refers to the diverse and indigenous belief systems practiced in China that involve ancestor worship, animism, and a pantheon of deities. It encompasses various local customs and rituals, often blending elements from Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, reflecting the spiritual and cultural identity of Chinese communities. These beliefs were significant during events like the Boxer Rebellion, as they played a role in shaping the motivations and actions of those involved.
Christian Missionaries: Christian missionaries were individuals sent by various Christian denominations to promote Christianity and its teachings, often establishing churches and schools in foreign lands. Their work in China, particularly during the 19th and early 20th centuries, played a significant role in cultural exchanges but also contributed to tensions that led to events like the Boxer Rebellion.
Eight-nation alliance: The eight-nation alliance was a coalition of eight foreign powers that intervened militarily in China during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. This alliance consisted of Japan, Russia, Britain, France, the United States, Germany, Italy, and Austria-Hungary, and aimed to protect their interests and citizens in China amidst growing anti-foreign sentiments and violence. The intervention led to significant military actions and culminated in the signing of the Boxer Protocol.
Empress Dowager Cixi: Empress Dowager Cixi was a powerful and influential figure in late Qing Dynasty China, serving as the de facto ruler from 1861 until her death in 1908. She effectively controlled the Chinese government through her position as the mother of the Tongzhi Emperor and later as regent for the Guangxu Emperor, playing a critical role in shaping China's response to internal and external pressures during a time of great upheaval.
Extraterritoriality: Extraterritoriality is a legal practice that allows a country's laws to be applied beyond its borders, enabling foreign nationals to be tried under their home country's laws rather than the local laws where they reside. This concept became significant during interactions between Western powers and China, leading to significant diplomatic tensions and shaping modern Chinese history.
First Sino-Japanese War: The First Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895) was a conflict between the Qing Dynasty of China and the Empire of Japan, primarily over influence in Korea. This war marked a significant turning point in East Asian geopolitics, highlighting the impact of Western imperialism on China and establishing Japan as a rising power in the region.
Guangzhouwan: Guangzhouwan, also known as the Guangzhou Bay, was a significant territorial concession in southern China that was ceded to France in the late 19th century. This area became an important site of foreign influence and imperialism, contributing to the growing tensions that led to the Boxer Rebellion as local populations reacted against foreign domination and the presence of Christian missionaries.
Jiaozhou Bay: Jiaozhou Bay is a deep-water bay located on the southern coast of Shandong Province, China. This strategic waterway became a focal point during the late 19th century due to its significance in maritime trade and military navigation, especially in the context of Western imperialism and the rise of foreign concessions in China. The area became a symbol of foreign domination as it was leased to Germany in 1898, showcasing the broader impact of imperial powers on China's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Li Hongzhang: Li Hongzhang was a prominent Chinese statesman and military leader during the late Qing Dynasty, best known for his role in the Self-Strengthening Movement and as a negotiator during key conflicts such as the First Sino-Japanese War. He played a crucial role in modernizing China’s military and administrative structures, influencing events that would shape China's response to both internal rebellions and external pressures.
Manchuria: Manchuria is a historical region in Northeast Asia that encompasses parts of modern-day China, Russia, and Mongolia. It played a critical role in the geopolitics of East Asia, especially during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, impacting major events such as conflicts and territorial treaties involving Japan and China.
Nationalism: Nationalism is a political ideology that emphasizes the interests and culture of a particular nation, often in opposition to foreign influence. In the context of modern China, nationalism played a crucial role in shaping responses to foreign imperialism, domestic reforms, and revolutionary movements, driving the quest for sovereignty and identity among the Chinese people.
Reform Movement: A reform movement is a social and political effort aimed at making changes and improvements within a society, often in response to perceived injustices or issues. In the context of modern China, various reform movements emerged as a reaction to internal strife and foreign pressures, highlighting the struggle for modernization and national sovereignty.
Siege of Beijing: The Siege of Beijing was a pivotal military conflict during the Boxer Rebellion that took place from June to August 1900, where an alliance of eight foreign powers attacked and captured the Chinese capital. This event was crucial as it marked the climax of anti-foreign sentiment in China and illustrated the deepening crisis between the Qing dynasty and foreign influences. The siege ultimately led to significant changes in China's relationship with the West, as well as a crackdown on the Boxer movement by both foreign powers and the Qing government.
Sino-French War: The Sino-French War (1884-1885) was a conflict between the Qing Dynasty of China and the French Third Republic, primarily over control of Vietnam, which was then a tributary state of China. This war exemplified the aggressive expansion of Western imperialism in Asia and highlighted China's struggles to maintain sovereignty in the face of foreign encroachment, significantly influencing the course of modernization efforts within China and setting the stage for later conflicts such as the Boxer Rebellion.
Treaty of Tientsin: The Treaty of Tientsin, signed in 1856, was one of the pivotal agreements that ended the Second Opium War between China and the British Empire. This treaty expanded on the concessions made in earlier treaties, opening more Chinese ports to foreign trade and allowing for foreign legations in Beijing. It reflected the Qing Dynasty's weakening control over its territory and highlighted the growing influence of Western powers in China.
Unequal Treaties: Unequal treaties refer to a series of agreements imposed on China by Western powers and Japan in the 19th and early 20th centuries, which were signed under duress and severely favored the foreign nations involved. These treaties resulted in significant territorial losses, economic concessions, and the undermining of China's sovereignty, ultimately reshaping its interactions with the rest of the world.
Xenophobia: Xenophobia is an irrational fear or dislike of people from other countries or cultures. It often manifests as prejudice, discrimination, or hostility towards immigrants and outsiders, fueled by cultural misunderstandings and nationalistic sentiments. This term is particularly relevant when examining historical movements that sought to unify a nation by promoting a sense of cultural superiority while simultaneously marginalizing foreign influences.
Yangtze Valley: The Yangtze Valley is a region in China defined by the Yangtze River, which is the longest river in Asia and the third longest in the world. This area has historically been a crucial agricultural hub and cultural center, significantly influencing China's economy and societal structure. The importance of the Yangtze Valley became particularly pronounced during the Boxer Rebellion, as it was a focal point for foreign influence and resistance among local populations.