The Gathering Storm: Origins of the Boxer Uprising

The late 19th century in China was marked by profound social upheaval, economic distress, and growing anti-foreign sentiment. The Boxer Rebellion, which erupted in 1900, was the violent culmination of decades of resentment against foreign imperialism, Christian missionary activities, and the Qing dynasty’s perceived weakness in dealing with Western powers. The movement, originally known as the Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists, combined martial arts training with spiritual practices and claimed invulnerability to foreign weapons. Their slogan “Support the Qing, Destroy the Foreign” resonated with many who blamed outsiders for China’s problems.

By the spring of 1900, Boxer activities had intensified throughout northern China, particularly in Shandong and Zhili provinces. The Qing court, under the de facto leadership of Empress Dowager Cixi, found itself in a difficult position. Some officials advocated suppressing the Boxers to maintain relations with foreign powers, while others, particularly the conservative faction led by Prince Duan, saw the movement as a useful tool to expel foreign influence. This division within the government would have profound consequences for China’s future.

The Decision to Attack: Imperial Authorization of Violence

The critical turning point came when the Qing court decided to officially support the Boxers against the foreign powers. After sending special messengers to telegraph stations in Tianjin and Shanhaiguan to distribute imperial decrees, Ronglu, the commander of the Wuwei Corps, felt some relief that the orders had been properly communicated. This moment marked the formal alignment of government forces with the Boxer movement.

At precisely four in the afternoon, General Dong Fuxiang’s Gansu Army launched their assault on the foreign legations. Their first target was the Austro-Hungarian legation, located in the Taitso Alley area that foreigners called Marco Polo Road. This compound stood somewhat isolated from the other legations, making it vulnerable to concentrated attack. The Austrian defenders, perhaps unprepared for the ferocity of the assault, held out for just over two hours before retreating to the safer confines of the Legation Quarter.

That night, the Gansu Army set fire to buildings, with flames visible until dawn. Prince Duan, delighted with what he perceived as a great victory, personally went to the palace to report this “triumph” to the Empress Dowager. This successful attack, however limited, emboldened the court to take more drastic measures.

Imperial Decrees and Escalating Conflict

Following this initial success, the court issued several important decrees. The first appointed Prince Zhuang as the new commander of the Beijing Gendarmerie, replacing Chongli who had repeatedly requested to be relieved of duty. Prince Duan recognized the strategic importance of controlling this position, commonly known as the “Nine Gates Commander,” and ensured his ally received the appointment.

The second decree ordered all provinces to recruit righteous volunteers to resist foreign aggression. This official endorsement transformed the Boxers from a rebellious movement into government-sanctioned militia, formally tasking them with their “Support the Qing, Destroy the Foreign” mission.

A third decree established price controls on food in Beijing, where residents faced severe shortages due to the conflict. The government ordered the Shuntian Prefecture to work with the Five City Censors to implement these measures, with grain supplies to be provided by the Ministry of Revenue. Unfortunately, transportation difficulties limited the effectiveness of this well-intentioned effort to maintain public order.

Strategic Planning and Political Ambition

“The day has come for us to hold our heads high!” Prince Duan exclaimed to his ally Gangyi. “With these decrees, we can proceed with our plans. But we have many matters to address—we must prioritize the most important ones.”

Gangyi, equally enthusiastic, outlined their strategy: “First, we must recruit more volunteers and boost morale. However, the Boxers need unified leadership to properly execute your commands.” He suggested that Prince Zhuang, as the new commander of the Beijing Gendarmerie, should formally lead the Boxer forces, with additional military commanders assigned to support him.

The second priority, Gangyi advised, was to bolster the Empress Dowager’s confidence. “Her Majesty has spoken often of the humiliation suffered since the British and French burned the Old Summer Palace forty years ago,” Prince Duan noted. “Wiping out the legations and killing all foreigners would finally allow her to feel that score settled.” Both men understood that once Cixi felt this satisfaction, she might be more willing to relinquish power, potentially allowing Prince Duan’s son, the designated heir, to assume the throne.

These political calculations revealed the complex motivations behind the attack on the legations. For Prince Duan and his supporters, the conflict represented not only anti-foreign sentiment but also an opportunity to advance their own positions within the court hierarchy.

The Assault Intensifies: May 26 and Beyond

On May 26, the attacks escalated dramatically. Beginning around eight in the morning, thick black smoke mixed with orange flames rose over the eastern part of Beijing, darkening half the sky. The Dutch, Italian, and Belgian legations followed the Austrian compound in being reduced to rubble. Yet despite these initial successes, the combined forces of the Gansu Army and Boxers could advance no further.

The foreign defenders had consolidated their positions into a more defensible perimeter centered around the Imperial Canal, creating a rectangular defensive area between the North and South Canal Bridges. To the east of the canal stood the exceptionally sturdy Prince Su Mansion, with walls eighteen feet high and three feet thick, providing relative safety for the Chinese Christians sheltering inside. South of the mansion, along the north side of Legation Street, stood the French, Japanese, and Spanish compounds. Across the street, the German legation extended south to the canal, near the city wall, where the foreign clubs were located.

West of the canal, the British legation faced the Prince Su Mansion, with the Russian legation to its south and slightly west. Opposite these, on the south side of Legation Street stretching to the eastern city wall, stood the spacious American legation. The western defenses connected these compounds with barricades at street intersections. While this defensive line had many vulnerabilities, the attackers failed to exploit them effectively.

Civilian Suffering and Unintended Consequences

As the siege continued, nearby residents suffered tremendously as collateral damage. Homes were looted regardless of the occupants’ status or wealth. Even prominent officials found themselves victims of the violence. Sun Jia’nai, a Grand Secretary who had overseen the Imperial University before the 1898 reforms, found his property particularly targeted, illustrating how the conflict created victims on all sides.

The Boxers’ supposed magical invulnerability to foreign weapons proved ineffective against modern firearms, dampening their enthusiasm for direct assaults. Meanwhile, the foreign defenders, though besieged and outnumbered, maintained their positions through determined resistance and the consolidation of their defensive perimeter.

Historical Significance and Lasting Legacy

The siege of the foreign legations represents a critical chapter in China’s encounter with modernity and foreign influence. The events of those weeks in 1900 revealed the deep divisions within Chinese society and the Qing government about how to respond to foreign pressure. The decision to support the Boxers reflected both genuine popular anger against imperialism and the political calculations of certain court factions.

Ultimately, the failure of the siege had profound consequences. The Eight-Nation Alliance’s subsequent invasion of China and the Boxer Protocol imposed harsh penalties on the Qing government, including massive reparations payments and further concessions of sovereignty. These outcomes further weakened the dynasty and contributed to its eventual collapse in 1911.

The Boxer Rebellion and the legation siege also left a complex legacy in China’s historical memory. For some, it represents a patriotic uprising against foreign aggression. For others, it serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of xenophobia and the rejection of technological progress. The event continues to shape China’s relationship with the outside world and its understanding of its own path to modernity.

The siege stands as a powerful reminder of how nationalism, political ambition, and cultural conflict can combine to create explosive situations with lasting historical impact. The stories of those who lived through those tense weeks—both inside and outside the legation walls—continue to offer valuable insights into one of the most dramatic episodes in China’s modern history.