Depth Studies – A Level OCR China – 1839-1989
The Boxer Rebellion 1898-1900
Causes
1. Foreign Exploitation and Humiliation
China had been dominated by foreign powers for over 50 years
(century of humiliation)
1897 - ‘Scramble for concessions’ sparked by the murder of 2
German missionaries. Germany took over parts of the Shandong
Peninsula and other countries demanded different concessions
(including Britain, France, and Russia)
Therefore, fear that China would be ‘carved up’ and destroyed - led
to growing nationalism and anti-foreigner sentiments
2. Anti-Christian Feeling
Western missionaries and Chinese converts challenged old
cultural traditions (e.g. Confucianism, imperialism etc)
Christians ignored social conventions, not kowtowing to idols, not
worshipping Confucius or ancestors, and not participating in
festivals.
Missionary doctors threatened local practitioners.
Churches built on old temples.
Christianity became the focus of anti-foreignism
3. Economic Hardship
Markets flooded by foreign imports, prices reduced, and local
businesses couldn’t compete
E.g. foreign cotton was ⅓ the price of local cotton.
Foreign railways destroyed old trade routes like the Grand Canal.
Trade deficit of 69 million taels - taxes had to be raised to
compensate - further hardship on peasant population (foreigners
blamed)
4. Natural disasters
The Yellow River shifted its course in 1852, leading to frequent
flooding after 1882.
Major flooding in 1898 affected more than 1 million people in
Shandong.
Severe drought in 1900.
The Boxers blamed foreigners for destroying the land and
angering traditional spirits. They believed railways, mines and
Churches affected the harmony of man with nature.
Key Events
Rise of the Boxer Movement
1898- First mention of Boxer violence in an official Qing court
government as violence against foreigners and Christians grew in
the Shandong province.
1899 - The governor of Shandong, Yü-hsien, a conservative ally of
Cixi who supported the Boxers, made them into an official
government militia. (The Righteous and Harmonious Militia).
The Boxer Rebellion 1898-1900
Causes
1. Foreign Exploitation and Humiliation
China had been dominated by foreign powers for over 50 years
(century of humiliation)
1897 - ‘Scramble for concessions’ sparked by the murder of 2
German missionaries. Germany took over parts of the Shandong
Peninsula and other countries demanded different concessions
(including Britain, France, and Russia)
Therefore, fear that China would be ‘carved up’ and destroyed - led
to growing nationalism and anti-foreigner sentiments
2. Anti-Christian Feeling
Western missionaries and Chinese converts challenged old
cultural traditions (e.g. Confucianism, imperialism etc)
Christians ignored social conventions, not kowtowing to idols, not
worshipping Confucius or ancestors, and not participating in
festivals.
Missionary doctors threatened local practitioners.
Churches built on old temples.
Christianity became the focus of anti-foreignism
3. Economic Hardship
Markets flooded by foreign imports, prices reduced, and local
businesses couldn’t compete
E.g. foreign cotton was ⅓ the price of local cotton.
Foreign railways destroyed old trade routes like the Grand Canal.
Trade deficit of 69 million taels - taxes had to be raised to
compensate - further hardship on peasant population (foreigners
blamed)
4. Natural disasters
The Yellow River shifted its course in 1852, leading to frequent
flooding after 1882.
Major flooding in 1898 affected more than 1 million people in
Shandong.
Severe drought in 1900.
The Boxers blamed foreigners for destroying the land and
angering traditional spirits. They believed railways, mines and
Churches affected the harmony of man with nature.
Key Events
Rise of the Boxer Movement
1898- First mention of Boxer violence in an official Qing court
government as violence against foreigners and Christians grew in
the Shandong province.
1899 - The governor of Shandong, Yü-hsien, a conservative ally of
Cixi who supported the Boxers, made them into an official
government militia. (The Righteous and Harmonious Militia).
