Boxer Rebellion Overview Flashcards

Study Notes

Overview of the Boxer Rebellion

The Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901) was an anti-imperialist, anti-foreign, and anti-Christian uprising in China, occurring towards the end of the Qing dynasty.
Initiated by the Militia United in Righteousness (Yìhéquán), known as the Boxers due to their martial arts background.
Villagers in Northern China resented Christian missionaries for ignoring tax obligations and abusing extraterritorial rights.
Immediate factors included severe drought and the impact of foreign spheres of influence post-Sino-Japanese War (1895).
In June 1900, Boxers besieged Beijing, promoting the slogan "Support the Qing government and exterminate the foreigners."

Response to Foreign Intervention

The Eight Nation Alliance comprised American, Austro-Hungarian, British, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Russian troops, aimed at lifting the siege in Beijing.
Empress Dowager Cixi initially hesitant, declared war on foreign powers on June 21, 1900, supporting the Boxers.
The Imperial Army and Boxers besieged the Legation Quarter for 55 days, where diplomats and civilians took refuge.
Internal divisions existed within Chinese leadership, with some supporting the Boxers and others advocating for conciliation.
The Eight-Nation Alliance eventually defeated the Imperial Army and relieved the Legations on August 14, 1900.
The Boxer Protocol of September 7, 1901, resulted in severe penalties, including execution of government officials supporting the Boxers and substantial indemnities totaling 450 million taels of silver.

Origin of the Boxer Movement

The Boxer movement originated in northern coastal provinces, especially Shandong, known for social unrest.
Members, often unemployed village men, were attracted to the movement as a way to resist Western encroachment and colonization.
The term "Boxers" was adopted from American missionaries observing their martial arts practices.
Boxers engaged in spiritual possession rituals, which included sword whirling, violent prostrations, and chanting to deities.
They claimed supernatural abilities, believing they could withstand Western firearms and would receive divine military assistance.

Causes of the Conflict

Extreme weather conditions, particularly drought, contributed to societal unrest and dissatisfaction.
Growing Western colonization efforts heightened anti-imperialist sentiments among the Chinese population.
The Treaty of Tientsin and subsequent foreign interventions incited ire among Chinese citizens regarding perceived dismemberment of the nation.
The interplay of these factors led to increased support for the Boxers and the desire to resist foreign domination.

Description

Explore key concepts and terminology related to the Boxer Rebellion, an anti-imperialist uprising in China that occurred from 1899 to 1901. This quiz provides essential definitions and an overarching overview of the events and motivations behind the rebellion against foreign influence during the Qing dynasty.