The Boxer Rebellion
Siege of Beijing—June 20, 1900
In the late 1800’s, the “Boxers” began to get stronger in the northern parts of China. “Boxers” was a
name that foreigners gave to a secret Chinese society which, when translated, meant “Righteous
and Harmonious Fists.”
As the government changed in China during the late 1800’s, the anti-foreign forces won control in
1898 and persuaded the Boxers to unite with the government in trying to drive out or destroy the
foreigners. Christian missionaries and Chinese Christians, especially, were the target of the bands of
Boxers that caused havoc and destruction.
Of the Americans who were not missionaries that were caught in the Rebellion, were Herbert Hoover
and his wife Lou. They had gone to China as newlyweds where Mr. Hoover was to start a job as a
mining consultant. They were caught in the city of Tientsin during the Rebellion.
In early June 1900, an international relief force was sent to help foreigners who were in Beijing.
There were over 2,000 men in this relief force, but the government ordered the imperial Chinese
forces to stop them and they were not able to get through.
Then, the German minister was murdered and other foreign ministers and their families and staff,
along with missionaries and hundreds of Chinese Christians were caught in a siege of Beijing that
began on June 20, 1900.
An international force of approximately 19,000—20,000 troops was assembled, with most coming
from Japan and Russia, but also many from the United States, Britain, France, Austria-Hungary,
Germany and Italy (remember the troops had to travel overland or by boat, they could not fly to the
problem areas). This international force finally captured Beijing on August 14, 1900.
Casualties of the Boxer Rebellion are not know, but thousands died. The majority of these were
Chinese Christians and approximately 200—250 foreigners, mostly Christian missionaries and their
families, including many children.
The Boxer Rebellion ended on September 7, 1901 when the Boxer Protocol was signed.
When we read about history, we tend to isolate each thing that happens and forget that life still
continued in the rest of the world. While we would hope that many prayers were being said for all
those caught in the fighting of the Rebellion, we have to remember that history was happening all
over the world at the same time as the persecution in China. While we live our lives each day, we
need to remember to pray for all those who are being persecuted for their faith throughout the
world today.
©2015 Bonnie Rose Hudson WriteBonnieRose.com
Information Boxes
Below are information boxes showing just a few of the historic facts from June 20, 1900, when the
siege of Beijing began, to September 7, 1901, when the Boxer Protocol was signed. As you will see,
there was much going on in the world at the same time as the Boxer Rebellion.
United States
Australia
Australia declares its independence from the
United Kingdom.
Louis Lassing is credited with creating the hamburger
in Connecticut.
Firestone Tire and Rubber Company is founded.
Edmund Barton becomes the first Prime
Minister in Australia.
Thousands were killed when a hurricane and tidal
wave destroy Galveston, Texas.
Australia opens its first parliament in
Melbourne.
Near Spindletop, Beaumont, Texas, the first major
Texas oil discovery is made.
The Female Army Nurse Corps is established as a
permanent organization.
For what reason was Australia originally
settled by the British?
The loop-the-loop centrifugal roller coaster is
patented by Edwin Prescott.
Andrew Carnegie donates $5.2 million to New York for
the purpose of building libraries.
World
First flight of LZ-1, a dirigible airship, in Germany.
Etienne Lenoir, the Belgian inventor who built the
first practical internal combustion engine, dies.
Diamond workers in Amsterdam go on strike.
France claims Chad as a protectorate.
New York becomes the first state to require
automobile license plates.
The College Board begins its first standardized tests.
President McKinley is shot in Buffalo, New York (he
dies 8 days later).
Who became president after President McKinley died?
The Cook Islands are annexed and proclaimed to be
part of New Zealand.
Max Planck, a German physicist publishes a study
which begins the quantum theory of modern physics.
An assassin attempts to kill Kaiser Wilhelm II of
Germany.
An anti-Semitic riot occurs in Budapest, Hungary.
Britain
Winston Churchill is first elected to the
House of Commons
Queen Victoria dies.
William H. Taft is made the first governor general of
the Philippines.
The sale of Queen Victoria postage stamps
ends and the King Edward VII postage
stamp series begins.
Whose assassination is credited with bringing about
the start of World War I?
Who was the Prime Minister of Great Britain
at this time?
©2015 Bonnie Rose Hudson WriteBonnieRose.com
When Did it Happen?
Use the facts below to fill in the timeline on the next page.
William H. Taft is made the first governor general of the Philippines
Etienne Lenoir, Belgian inventor who built the first practical internal combustion engine, dies
Near Spindletop, Beaumont, Texas, the first major Texas oil discovery is made
College Board begins first standardized tests
President McKinley is shot in Buffalo, New York (he dies 8 days later)
Louis Lassing credited with creation of the hamburger
Firestone Tire and Rubber Company is founded
First flight LZ-1, a dirigible airship, in Germany
An assassin attempts to kill Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany
Diamond workers in Amsterdam strike
France claims Chad as a protectorate
The loop-the-loop centrifugal roller coaster is patented by Edwin Prescott
Thousands killed when a hurricane and tidal wave destroys Galveston, Texas
Andrew Carnegie donates $5.2 million to New York for the purpose of building libraries
German Physicist Max Planck publishes a study which begins the quantum theory of modern physics
The sale of Queen Victoria postage stamps ends and the King Edward VII postage stamp series
begins when Queen Victoria dies
New York becomes the first state to require automobile license plates
Australia opens its first parliament in Melbourne
The Female Army Nurse Corps becomes a permanent organization
An anti-Semitic riot occurs in Budapest, Hungary
Australia declares its independence from the United Kingdom; Edmund Barton becomes first Prime
Minister
©2015 Bonnie Rose Hudson WriteBonnieRose.com
Timeline
June 20, 1900—Siege of Beijing
July 2, 1900
July 28, 1900
August 3, 1900
August 4, 1900
August 7, 1900
September 5, 1900
September 8, 1900
October 7, 1900
December 14, 1900
January 1, 1901
January 10, 1901
January 22, 1901
February 2, 1901
February 5, 1901
March 6, 1901
March 12, 1901
April 25, 1901
April 29, 1901
May 9, 1901
June 17, 1901
July 4, 1901
September 6, 1901
End of Boxer Rebellion with
signing of Boxer Protocol—September 7, 1901
©2015 Bonnie Rose Hudson WriteBonnieRose.com
Answer Key:
Information Boxes:
Australia—The British used Australia as a penal colony and for economic interests.
United States—Theodore Roosevelt, William McKinley’s Vice President, became president
World—The assassination of Austria's Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie
Britain—The Marquess of Salisbury
Timeline:
June 20, 1900—Siege of Beijing
July 2, 1900—First flight LZ-1, a dirigible airship, in Germany
July 28, 1900—Louis Lassing credited with creation of the hamburger
August 3, 1900—Firestone Tire and Rubber Company is founded
August 4, 1900—Etienne Lenoir, Belgian inventor who built the first practical internal combustion engine,
dies
August 7, 1900—Diamond workers in Amsterdam strike
September 5, 1900—France claims Chad as a protectorate
September 8, 1900—Thousands killed when a hurricane and tidal wave destroys Galveston, Texas
December 14, 1900—German Physicist Max Planck publishes a study which begins the quantum theory of
modern physics
January 1, 1901—Australia declares its independence from the United Kingdom; Edmund Barton becomes
first Prime Minister
January 10, 1901—Near Spindletop, Beaumont, Texas, the first major Texas oil discovery is made
January 22, 1901—The sale of Queen Victoria postage stamps ends and the King Edward VII postage
stamp series begins when Queen Victoria dies
February 2, 1901—The Female Army Nurse Corps becomes a permanent organization
February 5, 1901—The loop-the-loop centrifugal roller coaster is patented by Edwin Prescott
March 6, 1901—An assassin attempts to kill Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany
March 12, 1901—Andrew Carnegie donates $5.2 million to New York for the purpose of building libraries
April 25, 1901—New York becomes the first state to require automobile license plates
April 29, 1901—An anti-Semitic riot occurs in Budapest, Hungary
May 9, 1901—Australia opens its first parliament in Melbourne
June 17, 1901—College Board begins first standardized tests
July 4, 1901—William H. Taft is made the first governor general of the Philippines
September 6, 1901—President McKinley is shot in Buffalo, New York (he dies 8 days later).
September 7, 1901—End of Boxer Rebellion with signing of Boxer Protocol
©2015 Bonnie Rose Hudson WriteBonnieRose.com