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Boxer Rebellion and Eight-Nation Alliance (1899-1901)
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The Boxer Rebellion and the Eight-Nation Alliance: an Overview
The Boxer Rebellion was an anti-foreign and anti-Christian movement that took place as the 19th century transitioned into the 20th. Used by the Qing government to expel foreigners, the movement eventually led to China’s declaration of war on the foreign powers and the invasion by the Eight-Nation Alliance. After the fall of Beijing, the Qing government was forced to sign the humiliating Boxer Protocol, a treaty that brought China’s international status to an all-time low.
The Boxer Rebellion and the Eight-Nation Alliance: an Overview
The Boxer Rebellion was an anti-foreign and anti-Christian movement that took place as the 19th century transitioned into the 20th. Used by the Qing government to expel foreigners, the movement eventually led to China’s declaration of war on the foreign powers and the invasion by the Eight-Nation Alliance. After the fall of Beijing, the Qing government was forced to sign the humiliating Boxer Protocol, a treaty that brought China’s international status to an all-time low.
(1) Continous Foreign Invasions and a Rise in Religious Incidents
As Christianity spread rapidly in China since the mid-19th century, anti-foreign and anti-Christian incidents also increased due to cultural differences, foreign invasions, and mishandling by the Qing authorities.
(2) The Qing Government Made Use of the Anti-foreign Boxer Rebellion
The Boxer Rebellion was a xenophobic and anti-Qing movement originated in Shandong Province. Failing to suppress it, the Qing government decided to harness the group’s xenophobic sentiments by supporting it instead. This gave the group license to brand itself a militia and ramp up its xenophobic activities under the slogan “Support the Qing, destroy the foreigners”.
(3) The Invasion of the Eight-Nation Alliance
The Boxer Rebellion culminated in 1900. In June, Empress Dowager Cixi declared war on the foreign powers in Emperor Guangxu’s name. The powers formed the Eight-Nation Alliance and captured Tianjin and Beijing successively.
(4) The Boxer Protocol and its Aftermath
Grovelled for peace after its defeat by the Eight-Nation Alliance, the Qing government capitulated to the foreign powers’ harsh demands and signed the humiliating Boxer Protocol. This treaty would significantly influence China’s future development.