Events of the Boxer Rising

1

In the late 1890s, the secret Chinese group the Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists began a series of targeted attacks

2

In the attacks missionaries, foreigners and Chinese Christians were assaulted, and Christian churches and schools burnt to the ground

Where did the attacks begin?

The attacks began in Shandong and spread to Hebei, Shanxi and Henan in the north east of China.

Where did the uprising spread next?

Beijing

What happened to the German ambassador?

He was shot in Beijing

What did the westerners in Beijing do after the German ambassador’s death?

Retreated to the British Legation

What did the Boxers do to the British legation?

They conducted a 55 day siege

• but were unable to break defences or enter the building

How did the western powers respond to the siege of the British Legation?

They raised an international force to break up the siege

• The Boxers fought back and many were killed

What did Empress Dowager Cixi do after the siege of the legation?

Despite previously supporting the rising, she became concerned for her own safety.

• Fled from Beijing to Xian (disguising herself as a peasant)

Why did Cixi realise her supporting of the Boxer Rising was a mistake?

Because the foreign powers used their victory over the Boxers to strengthen control in China

What were the four key things the foreign powers insisted happen after their victory?

• The Chinese government had to pay £67 million in reparations over 39 years

• China’s military fortifications and weapon stocks should be destroyed

• Ten Chinese government officials should be executed for supporting the Boxers

• Foreign soldiers should be permanently stationed in and around Beijing

What was the effect of the Boxer Rising on the Qing dynasty?

Victory and demands of the foreign powers weakened the dynasty

• Cixi was only allowed to return to Beijing in 1902, by which time her authority had been seriously weakened