Boxer Rebellion

The Boxer Uprising ({{zh-tsp|t=義和團起義|s=义和团起义|p=Yìhétuán Qǐyì}}; Righteous Harmony Society Uprising) was an uprising against Western commercial and political influence in China during the final years of the 19th century. By August 1900 over 230 foreigners, thousands of Chinese Christians, an unknown number of rebels, their sympathisers and other Chinese had been killed in the revolt and its suppression.

Results

The effect on China was a weakening of the dynasty, although it was temporarily sustained by the Europeans who were under the impression that the Boxer Rebellion was anti-Qing. China's defenses were weakened, and the mother of the Emperor, who was the actual person in command of the country at that time, realized that in order to survive, China would have to reform, despite her previous opposition. Among the Imperial powers, Japan gained prestige due to its military aid in suppressing the Boxer Rebellion and was first seen as a power. Its clash with Russia over the Liaodong and other provinces in eastern Manchurian, long considered by the Japanese as part of their Sphere of influence led to the Russo-Japanese war when two years of negotiations broke down in February of 1904. Germany, as mentioned above, earned itself the nickname "Hun". The Russian Lease of the Liaodong (1898) was confirmed.

Related Topics:
The mother of the Emperor - Power - Liaodong - Sphere of influence - Russo-Japanese war - 1904

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The American 9th Infantry Regiment earned the nickname "Manchus" for actions during this campaign. Current members of the regiment (stationed in Camp Casey, Korea) still do a commemorative 25 mile footmarch every quarter in remembrance of the brutal fighting. Soldiers who complete this march are authorized to wear a special belt buckle that features an Chinese imperial dragon on their uniforms.

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