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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 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'.  

Attacks began in 1899, and missionaries in the outlying areas who survived Boxer attackls fled to Peking. The [[Empress Dowager Cixi]], ruler of China, herself appeared to give support to the Boxers, who occupied [[Beijing|Peking]] and besieged 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 This unpublished agreement ensured that the war was confined to a few provinces of northern China, and, although the imperial government had declared war, the western powers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.

Attacks began in 1899, and missionaries in the outlying areas who survived Boxer attackls fled to Peking. The [[Empress Dowager Cixi]], ruler of China, herself appeared to give support to the Boxers, who occupied [[Beijing|Peking]] and besieged 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 [[Bismarck]] 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.

During the summer of 1900, a large multinational expedition occupied the Dagu Forts, [[Tianjin]] and ultimately Peking itself. Peking was thoroughly looted by the occupying armies. Li Hongzhang was recalled to Peking to negotiate and sign (1901) a treaty with the allied powers, which provided for a large indemnity to be paid by China and allowed the powers to maintain sizable garrisons in the heart of the Chinese capital.

During the summer of 1900, a large multinational expedition occupied the Dagu Forts, [[Tianjin]] and ultimately Peking itself. Peking was thoroughly looted by the occupying armies. Li Hongzhang was recalled to Peking to negotiate and sign (1901) a treaty with the allied powers, which provided for a large indemnity to be paid by China and allowed the powers to maintain sizable garrisons in the heart of the Chinese capital.