Boxer+Rebellion


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=//Boxer Rebellion//= The Boxer Rebellion was a Chinese rebellion from against foreign influence in areas such as trade, politics, religion and technology that occurred in China during the final years of the Manchu rule known as the Qing Dynasty. A man named Tsu Hsi issued an imperial messaged to all foreign powers. It read;

"The present situation is becoming daily more difficult. The various Powers cast upon us looks of tiger-like voracity, hustling each other to be first to seize our innermost territories. . . . Should the strong enemies become aggressive and press us to consent to things we can never accept, we have no alternative but to rely upon the justice of our cause. . . . If our . . . hundreds of millions of inhabitants . . . would prove their loyalty to their emperor and love of their country, what is there to fear from any invader? Let us not think about making peace."

This was the beginning of the rebel boxers. The rebellion was a direct result of the Open Door Policy. While the United States, England, Japan, Russia, Austria, France, Italy, and Germany were all in a competitive race to establish trade with China, it was the opposite of what many inhabitants wanted to happen. A group of rebels would soon rebel. Foreign powers called this group "the boxers," because of their martial arts practices, but its actual title was "Fists of Righteous Harmony." This group attracted thousands of followers and became a powerful and influential organization. The boxers first cause was to overthrow the imperial Ch'ing government and all "foreign devils", but the empress cleverly created the slogan, "Support the Ch'ing; destroy the foreigner!" in order to redirect the targets of the Boxers. In early 1900, there were thousands of Boxers throughout the countryside. They attacked Christian missionaries, killing foreign missionaries and Chinese converts. They continued towards the cities attracting more and more followers along the way. Attacking the Forbidden City, they slaughtered a total of 76 defenders that took about 2 months to penetrate. As the boxers continued to wreck havoc, the help finally arrived. The United States sent 2,500 sailors and marines to help retrieve their diplomats, and ultimately suppressed the worst of the Boxer rebellion. The Ch'ing Dynasty, did not, however and their power would be destroyed forever.

Secretary of State John Hay then decided to expand the Open Door Policy not only within the spheres of influence, but in all parts of China. He also recommended that the foreigners preserve China's territory and its government. The other countries accepted and the Open Door Policy was revised, and foreign access was allowed throughout China, until World War II closed it once again.
 * Results of Boxer Rebellion on Open Door Policy**

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