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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 (2nd November, 1899-7th September, 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) and practiced martial arts. The objective of the Boxer Rebellion was to overthrow the Qing Dynasty (1644 to 1912) and expel foreign colonial influences in politics, trade, technology and religion. The Boxers also wanted to throw all foreigners out of their land.
During the uprising, the Boxers attacked foreigners involved in building railroads and those believed to be violating Feng Shui principles. Several Christians, held to be responsible for the foreign domination of the land, were also not spared. In June 1900, when the Boxers invaded Beijing, 230 non-Chinese were killed. In the provinces of Shandong and Shanxi, several Chinese Christians, both Catholics and Protestants, were wiped out.
The Empress Dowager Cixi and her government didn't offer help to the foreigners, Chinese Christians, diplomats and others who were attacked by the Boxers. On August 14th 1901, a huge international expeditionary force consisting of almost 20,000 troops, took control of Beijing and suppressed the Boxer Rebellion.  |
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© imagesofasia 2007-08 |
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