The Boxer Rebellion was an anti-foreign and anti-imperialist uprising which occurred in China in the late 19th century. The rebellion was led by a Chinese secret society known as the I Ho Ch’üan (“Righteous and Harmonious Fists”), and was aimed at eliminating all foreign influence in China.
It began in Shandong province in 1898, with Boxers rising up against European missionaries and their Chinese converts. As the Boxers spread throughout the country their acts of violence grew increasingly more extreme, culminating in the siege of the foreign legations in Beijing in the summer of 1900. The rebellion was eventually put down by a multinational force, led by the British and French, and supported by the United States, Japan, and Russia.
The Boxer Rebellion had a profound impact on modern Chinese history, both in terms of politics and culture. Politically, it marked a key moment in China’s transition from an empire to a modern nation. During the rebellion, the Qing government sided with the Boxers and attempted to drive out the foreigners. This ended up being disastrous for the Qing, as it only accelerated their downfall. After the rebellion, the Qing were forced to accept the presence of foreign powers and the unequal treaties that had been forced upon them. This ultimately led to the dismantling of the old imperial structure and the establishment of the Republic of China in 1912.
The Boxer Rebellion also had a major cultural impact. During the rebellion, many of the Chinese people rallied behind the Boxers and expressed support for their anti-foreigner stance. In the aftermath of the rebellion, many Chinese began to view foreigners with suspicion and hostility. This attitude of xenophobia would remain a part of the Chinese psyche for many years to come. It was only in the 1950s, after the victory of the Chinese Communist Party, that the Chinese began to embrace foreign cultures and ideologies once again.
The Boxer Rebellion was thus a key event in the history of modern China. It signaled the end of the old imperial order and the beginning of a new era of foreign influence. It also shaped the Chinese attitude towards foreigners for generations to come, and has left a lasting legacy on the Chinese nation.