The Boxer Rebellion was a violent and anti-foreign movement that took place in China from 1899 to 1901. It was directed against foreigners who had been trading in the country since the mid-1800s, as well as the Chinese who were adopting western customs and values. The goals of the uprising were to defeat foreign influence in the country, overthrow the ruling Manchu Dynasty, and restore the Han Chinese to their rightful place in Chinese society.
The uprising began in March of 1899 in response to a secret society called Yihe Tuan, or “The Righteous Harmony Society.” The group was known for its extreme anti-foreign sentiments and martial arts training for its members. Led by a former soldier turned spiritual leader named “Oyindo,” the group quickly gained strength and support from other anti-foreigner societies and Chinese citizens who were frustrated with the ever-increasing presence of foreign traders and powers in their country.
In June of 1900, the group, now calling itself the “Boxers,” attacked and killed numerous foreign missionaries and Chinese Christians. They also besieged the foreign legations in Beijing, trapping more than 600 foreigners within their compounds. The Qing government, at first sympathetic to the cause, declared war on the foreigners and threw its full support behind the Boxers. This was an attempt to gain unity against an external enemy.
By mid-summer of 1900, the situation had become so dire for the foreigners that nearly 20,000 foreign troops from eight nations formed an international expeditionary force, known as the Eight-Nation Alliance, and descended upon China in order to restore order and protect the lives and interests of their nationals.
The allied forces overwhelmed the Qing forces and the Boxers, driving them back toward the capital. In August 1900, they took control of the capital and declared martial law. Many of the Qing leaders were arrested and executed, while most of the Boxers were captured and their property confiscated.
Although the rebellion was ultimately unsuccessful, it had far-reaching implications for China. The Qing government was severely weakened as a result of the uprising, leading to its eventual downfall in 1912. Its treaties with foreign powers were also revised to be more favorable towards the West and to open up more trade opportunities, which allowed China to become more integrated into the global economy.
The Boxer Rebellion also exposed the deep divisions among different groups of Chinese people, and the vast inequalities in Chinese society. It focused attention on the need for reform, and many of the questions raised by the uprising, such as Chinese identity, modernization and foreign intervention, are still relevant today.