What war was fought in 1900?

What War was Fought in 1900?

The year 1900 was marked by several conflicts and wars, but one of the most significant ones was the Boxer Rebellion, also known as the Boxer Uprising. This was a complex and multifaceted conflict that lasted from 1899 to 1901, primarily in northern China.

The Background of the Boxer Rebellion

The Boxers, also known as the Xīng jiǎng (), were a militant and anti-foreigner group that emerged in the late 1890s in northern China. They were primarily from the northern provinces of Shandong, Hebei, and Henan, and were influenced by Confucian and Maoist ideologies.

The Boxers were against the growing influence of foreign powers in China, particularly the Eight-Nation Alliance, which consisted of the United States, Germany, Japan, Russia, France, Italy, Austria-Hungary, and the United Kingdom. They believed that the Chinese government was corrupt and had failed to resist the encroachment of foreign powers.

The Boxer Rebellion Outbreak

In 1899, the Boxers began attacking foreigner settlements, missionary stations, and government buildings in the northern provinces. The attacks were led by Wang Weixu, a self-proclaimed Christian and the leader of the Boxer movement.

In June 1900, the Boxers, aided by Manchu and Han Chinese soldiers, began a major uprising against foreign powers. They attacked foreigner settlements, including Tianjin, Beijing, and Shanhai Pass, and began to besiege foreign embassies and legations.

The Foreign Intervention

In response to the Boxer Rebellion, the foreign powers of the Eight-Nation Alliance launched a joint military campaign to quell the uprising and protect their citizens and interests.

The coalition forces were led by the Viceroy of Liangjiang, Duan Qirui, who was a Han Chinese loyalist. The foreign troops were primarily made up of Japanese, British, German, and Russian soldiers, with smaller contingents from the United States, Italy, and France.

Table: Composition of Foreign Troops in the Boxer Rebellion

The Siege of Beijing

In July 1900, the foreign coalition forces, led by Count von Waldersee of Germany, arrived at Beijing and began to besiege the city. The Boxers, with the support of the Manchu and Han Chinese troops, defended the city, but were vastly outnumbered and outgunned.

The siege of Beijing lasted for several months, during which time both sides suffered heavy casualties. The foreign coalition forces ultimately breached the city walls on August 14, 1900, and began to raze the city to the ground.

Figure: The Siege of Beijing (Source: British Library)

The Aftermath of the Boxer Rebellion

The Boxer Rebellion was ultimately crushed by the foreign coalition forces, who had restored order and expelled the Boxers from the city.

The aftermath of the conflict was marked by significant reforms in the Chinese government and society. The Manchu dynasty was overthrown, and a new government was established.

The Boxer Indemnity

In 1901, China was forced to sign the Boxer Protocol, which required the country to pay indemnities to the foreign powers involved in the conflict. The total amount paid was approximately 450 million taels of silver ( equivalent to approximately $333 million).

Table: Boxer Indemnity Amounts (in millions of taels of silver)

Conclusion

The Boxer Rebellion, fought in 1900, was a complex and multifaceted conflict that had far-reaching consequences for China and the world. The war marked the end of the Manchu dynasty and the beginning of a new era in Chinese history.

The rebellion also had significant implications for international relations, as it highlighted the need for cooperation and collective action in addressing global crises.

Additional Resources:

• The Boxer Rebellion, 1899-1901: A Global Context
• The Boxer Rebellion: Causes, Consequences, and Legacy