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This gate, the chief entrance to the city of Beijing (Peking), was the site of severe fighting that took place during the Boxer Rebellion
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The Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901) was a Chinese uprising caused by the members of the Society of Right and Harmonious Fists. It began in northern China. The members of the Society were called "Boxers" by the foreigners because they believed in calisthenics (light exercises for physical fitness).
The goals of the Boxer Rebellion were to overthrow the Qing Dynasty (1644 to 1912) and expel foreign colonial influences that had begun to overcome Chinese life and culture.
During the uprising, the Boxers threatened and attacked foreigners involved in building railroads and those believed to be violating Feng Shui principles. When the Boxers invaded Beijing in June 1900 and this gate was destroyed in a fire, over 200 non-Chinese persons were killed.
The Empress Dowager Cixi and her government were too weak to assist the foreigners, Christians, diplomats and others under siege by the Boxers. On August 14th 1901, an international expeditionary force consisting of almost 20,000 troops, took control of Beijing and put down the Rebellion.  |
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© imagesofasia |
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