Changes

The so-called '''Boxer Rebellion''' occurred in [[China]] in 1899-1900. The uprising was prompted by [[xenophobia|xenophobic]] resentment of the increasing numbers of [[Christian]] [[missionary|missionaries]] in north China and from popular outrage at the failure of the [[Qing]] court to effectively resist the depredations of foreign powers in China (which had been increasing in scope since the [[Opium War]] of 1839-42). The lack of openness to the Christian message on the part of the Chinese authorities - both imperial and commmunist - has been a source of much misfortune to the population of that country throughout history.

The so-called '''Boxer Rebellion''' occurred in [[China]] in 1899-1900. The uprising was prompted by [[xenophobia|xenophobic]] resentment of the increasing numbers of [[Christian]] [[missionary|missionaries]] in north China and from popular outrage at the failure of the [[Qing]] court to effectively resist the depredations of foreign powers in China (which had been increasing in scope since the [[Opium War]] of 1839-42). The lack of openness to the Christian message on the part of the Chinese authorities - both imperial and commmunist - has been a source of much misfortune to the population of that country throughout history.

The Boxer movement built upon a tradition of secret society activity among the lower orders of society and dispossessed intelligentsia, and initially adopted the slogan 'destroy the Qing, restore the Ming' (the Qing being the non-[[Han]] Chinese 'Manchu' dynasty; the [[Ming]], predecessors of the Qing, being ethnic Han Chinese). The Boxer movement arose at a time of division and faction in the Qing court, getting its name from the traditional Chinese shorts worn by its members (which made them resemble pugilists in the eyes of the invaders), and anti-Western courtiers believed that it could be harnessed as a means of overcoming foreign influence. Slowly a new slogan prevailed among the Boxers, 'Support the Qing, destroy the foreigners'.  

The Boxer movement was known in Chinese as the 'Society of Righteous (or Harmonious) Fists', and it practiced a martial art which appeared much like sparring to western observers, hence its western name. It built upon a tradition of secret society activity among the lower orders of society and dispossessed intelligentsia, and initially adopted the slogan 'destroy the Qing, restore the Ming' (the Qing being the non-[[Han]] Chinese 'Manchu' dynasty; the [[Ming]], predecessors of the Qing, being ethnic Han Chinese). The Boxer movement arose at a time of division and faction in the Qing court, and anti-Western courtiers believed that it could be harnessed as a means of overcoming foreign influence. Slowly a new slogan prevailed among the Boxers, 'Support the Qing, destroy the foreigners'.  

The [[Empress Dowager Cixi]] herself appeared to give support to the Boxers, who occupied [[Peking]] and beseiged the foreign legations in the city in the summer of 1900. However, although Cixi declared [[war]] on the powers and committed official Chinese forces to the [[siege]], moderate elements at court were able to moderate her actions. The legation quarter siege was pursued only half-heartedly; and senior statesmen such as [[Li Hongzhang]] (known as 'the [[Bismark]] of China', in temporary eclipse at court and at that time Governor General of Canton) and [[Yuan Shikai]] (Governor of [[Shandong]], and head of the country's most modern armies) were able to come to a separate agreement with the powers. This unpublished agreement ensured that the war was confined to a few provinces of northern China, and, although the imperial government had declared war, the western powers would 'overlook' this and continue to see the violence as a 'rebellion' against the Qing.

The [[Empress Dowager Cixi]] herself appeared to give support to the Boxers, who occupied [[Peking]] and beseiged the foreign legations in the city in the summer of 1900. However, although Cixi declared [[war]] on the powers and committed official Chinese forces to the [[siege]], moderate elements at court were able to moderate her actions. The legation quarter siege was pursued only half-heartedly; and senior statesmen such as [[Li Hongzhang]] (known as 'the [[Bismark]] of China', in temporary eclipse at court and at that time Governor General of Canton) and [[Yuan Shikai]] (Governor of [[Shandong]], and head of the country's most modern armies) were able to come to a separate agreement with the powers. This unpublished agreement ensured that the war was confined to a few provinces of northern China, and, although the imperial government had declared war, the western powers would 'overlook' this and continue to see the violence as a 'rebellion' against the Qing.