Boxer Protocol

Definition

The Boxer Protocol was an agreement signed in September 1901 that ended the Boxer Rebellion in China, which was a violent uprising against foreign influence and Christian missionary activities. The protocol imposed severe penalties on China, including financial reparations and military occupation, while also granting foreign powers increased control over Chinese territory and sovereignty. Its significance lies in how it illustrated the consequences of international intervention and the ongoing struggle between traditional Chinese values and the encroachment of foreign powers.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Boxer Protocol required China to pay 450 million taels of silver in reparations to the eight foreign powers involved in quelling the Boxer Rebellion.
2. It stipulated that foreign troops could be stationed in Beijing and other key cities to maintain order and protect foreign nationals.
3. The protocol led to increased foreign control over Chinese customs and tariffs, further eroding Chinese sovereignty.
4. Several Chinese officials were executed or punished for their involvement in supporting the Boxer Rebellion as part of the protocol's punitive measures.
5. The Boxer Protocol had long-term implications for China's national identity and fueled anti-foreign sentiments that would later contribute to revolutionary movements.

Review Questions

• How did the Boxer Protocol reflect the international response to the Boxer Rebellion?
  • The Boxer Protocol illustrated a strong international response to the Boxer Rebellion by imposing harsh penalties on China as a consequence of the uprising. The agreement not only marked the end of a significant conflict but also demonstrated how foreign powers were willing to intervene militarily and politically in China. By enforcing reparations and allowing military presence within Chinese territory, it revealed the extent to which these nations prioritized their interests over China's sovereignty.
• Discuss the key terms and conditions of the Boxer Protocol and their impact on China's sovereignty.
  • The Boxer Protocol included several key terms that significantly impacted China's sovereignty. It mandated reparations totaling 450 million taels of silver, which placed immense financial strain on China. Furthermore, it allowed for foreign troops to occupy Beijing and other strategic locations. This occupation and loss of control over tariffs and customs eroded China's autonomy, contributing to a perception of weakness among its populace and laying groundwork for future nationalist movements.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of the Boxer Protocol on China's relationship with foreign powers and its own national identity.
  • The Boxer Protocol had profound long-term effects on China's relationship with foreign powers and its national identity. The harsh terms fostered resentment toward foreign influence, leading to an increase in nationalism and revolutionary fervor among Chinese citizens. As the protocol reinforced feelings of humiliation and subjugation, it set the stage for subsequent movements aimed at reclaiming sovereignty and cultural identity. This culminated in major changes during the early 20th century, including revolutions that sought to redefine China's political landscape away from imperialist control.

Related terms

Boxer Rebellion:

A nationalist uprising in China from 1899 to 1901 aimed at expelling foreign influence, led by a secret society known as the 'Boxers' who were opposed to Western imperialism.

Unequal Treaties:

A series of treaties imposed on China by foreign powers during the 19th and early 20th centuries, which undermined China's sovereignty and granted special privileges to foreigners.

Eight-Nation Alliance: A coalition of eight countries, including Japan, Russia, Britain, France, the United States, Germany, Italy, and Austria-Hungary, formed to intervene militarily in China during the Boxer Rebellion.