The Boxer Rebellion was an anti-imperialist and nationalist uprising that occurred in China from 1899 to 1901. The rebellion was driven by a xenophobic Chinese secret society known as the “Righteous and Harmonious Fists” or the Boxers, who wanted to drive all foreigners out of China. The Boxers sought to eliminate foreign influence in Chinese politics and culture. They conducted raids on foreign churches and missions and attacked Chinese Christians who had adopted Western customs.
The Boxer Rebellion began in Shandong Province in northern China in the late spring of 1899. It quickly spread to other parts of the country, becoming an international incident as foreign troops were called in to protect their citizens and interests. In June 1900, an eight nation alliance of foreign powers sent 20,000 troops to China to put down the rebellion. After a series of battles and sieges, the Boxers were defeated by the foreign forces in August 1900.
The consequences of the Boxer Rebellion were far-reaching. To punish the Chinese for the uprising, the allied foreign powers imposed a heavy indemnity upon the Chinese government. This resulted in severe economic hardship for the Chinese people, who suffered from high taxes and rampant inflation. Following the uprising, foreign powers increased their control over China’s internal affairs, and the Chinese government was forced to accept foreign advisors and to give up control over customs, tariffs, and railway construction.
The Boxer Rebellion also marked a turning point in Chinese history. With the subsequent collapse of the Qing Dynasty, a period of political instability and wars between warlords ensued. This ultimately resulted in the creation of the Republic of China in 1912 and the establishment of the Chinese Communist Party in 1921.
The legacy of the Boxer Rebellion is still felt today. Its lasting impact can be seen in the strained relations between China and the West, the continued presence of foreign military forces in China, and the growth of nationalism in Chinese politics. The rebellion also affected the development of modern Chinese art and literature, with many writers and artists using the revolt as a symbol of China’s struggle against foreign domination.