The Empress Dowager Cixi’s Edict During the Boxer Rebellion

Context

By the late 19th century, China faced mounting internal strife and external pressures. The Qing Dynasty, under the rule of the Empress Dowager Cixi, grappled with foreign imperialism and internal dissent. The Boxer Rebellion, originating from anti-foreign and anti-Christian ideals, gained momentum in 1899 as the “Boxers”—a peasant-led sect—initiated uprisings against foreign interests and Chinese Christians.

Events Leading to June 18, 1900

The Rise of the Boxer Rebellion

The Boxer Rebellion was rooted in the deep-seated resentment of foreign influence in China, exacerbated by economic distress and natural disasters attributed to foreign presence. The Boxers believed their martial practices bestowed invulnerability, inspiring confidence in their cause to rid China of foreign elements.

The Qing Dynasty’s Initial Responses

Initially, the Qing government tried to suppress the Boxers but met with little success. As Boxer ranks swelled, anti-foreign sentiment penetrated deeper layers of the Chinese society, including sections of the Qing court. As the Boxers gained influence, the prospect of leveraging their unrest against foreign powers seemed viable to officials like the Empress Dowager Cixi.

June 18, 1900: Edict to Kill Foreigners

On June 18, 1900, amid growing tensions and Boxer activity, Empress Dowager Cixi issued an imperial edict that marked a significant escalation in the conflict. Under extreme pressure and influenced by elements within her court, Cixi ordered all foreign residents within China to be killed. This directive was part of a broader official support for the Boxer uprising, representing a desperate attempt to assert Chinese sovereignty and expel foreign powers.

Impact of the Edict

The issuance of this edict marked a turning point in the Boxer Rebellion:

1. Escalation of Violence: The edict resulted in widespread massacres of foreigners and Chinese Christians, heightening the ferocity and scope of the conflict.
2. International Intervention: The decree prompted a rapid international response. An eight-nation alliance, comprising troops from Japan, Russia, Britain, France, the United States, Germany, Italy, and Austria-Hungary, mobilized forces to protect their nationals and interests.
3. Siege of the Foreign Legations: The edict and subsequent Boxer advances led to the Siege of the International Legations in Beijing, where foreigners and Chinese Christians sought refuge from Boxer attacks.

Aftermath and Historical Significance

The edict ultimately catalyzed the intervention of Western and Japanese forces, leading to the suppression of the Boxer Rebellion by these foreign powers. The Qing Dynasty faced severe reparations and further loss of control over their sovereignty. The event underscored the fragility of the Qing dynasty in the face of both internal rebellion and external aggression, contributing to the eventual fall of the Qing regime in 1912.

The Boxer Rebellion and its repression marked a pivotal episode in the annals of modern Chinese history, reshaping China’s interactions with foreign powers and sowing seeds for the eventual revolutionary changes in the early 20th century.