Boxer Protocol

Boxer Protocol. The Boxer Protocol, also known as the Protocol for the Settlement of the Disturbances of 1900, was a treaty signed on September 7, 1901, between the Empire of China and the Eight-Nation Alliance, which consisted of Empire of Japan, Russian Empire, German Empire, French Third Republic, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, United States of America, Kingdom of Italy, and Austria-Hungary. This treaty marked the end of the Boxer Rebellion, a violent anti-foreigner and anti-Christian movement in China led by the Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists, also known as the Boxers. The protocol was negotiated by Li Hongzhang and Yikuang (Prince Qing), representing the Qing dynasty, and diplomats from the Eight-Nation Alliance, including Alfred von Waldersee, Komura Jutarō, and Paul Cambon.

● Introduction

The Boxer Protocol was a significant event in the history of China, marking the country's forced opening to the world and the imposition of foreign influence. The protocol was signed after the Battle of Beijing, which saw the capture of the city by the Eight-Nation Alliance, led by Field Marshal Alfred von Waldersee of the German Empire. The treaty was negotiated with the assistance of United States Secretary of State John Hay and British Foreign Secretary Lord Lansdowne. The protocol's terms were influenced by the Treaty of Shimonoseki, which ended the First Sino-Japanese War, and the Treaty of Nanking, which marked the beginning of the Opium Wars. The Boxer Protocol also had significant implications for the Qing dynasty, which was already facing internal strife and external pressure from Japan, Russia, and the European great powers.

● Background

The Boxer Rebellion was a response to the growing foreign influence in China, particularly the spread of Christianity and the establishment of foreign concessions in Tianjin and other cities. The Boxers were a militant group that sought to expel all foreigners from China and restore the power of the Qing dynasty. The rebellion was supported by the Dowager Empress Cixi and other conservative elements within the Qing court. However, the rebellion was ultimately put down by the Eight-Nation Alliance, which included troops from Japan, Russia, Germany, France, United Kingdom, United States, Italy, and Austria-Hungary. The alliance was led by Field Marshal Alfred von Waldersee and included notable military leaders such as General Adna Chaffee and General Fukushima Yasumasa. The Battle of the Taku Forts and the Battle of Langfang were key battles fought during the rebellion.

● Terms of

the Protocol The Boxer Protocol imposed significant penalties on China, including a large indemnity of 450 million taels of silver, which was to be paid over a period of 39 years. The protocol also established the Legation Quarter in Beijing as a foreign concession, which was to be governed by the Eight-Nation Alliance. The Qing dynasty was also forced to agree to the establishment of foreign legations in Beijing and the stationing of foreign troops in the city. The protocol also led to the execution of Qing officials who had supported the Boxer Rebellion, including Qing general Nie Shicheng. The terms of the protocol were influenced by the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Portsmouth, which ended the Russo-Japanese War. The protocol also had significant implications for the Chinese Eastern Railway and the South Manchurian Railway, which were controlled by Russia and Japan respectively.

● Consequences

The Boxer Protocol had significant consequences for China, marking the beginning of a period of foreign domination and influence. The protocol led to the establishment of foreign concessions in China, including the Shanghai International Settlement and the Tianjin Concession. The protocol also marked the beginning of the end of the Qing dynasty, which was eventually overthrown in the Xinhai Revolution led by Sun Yat-sen and the Kuomintang. The protocol also had significant implications for the Chinese Communist Party, which was founded in 1921 and would eventually come to power in 1949. The Boxer Protocol also influenced the Washington Naval Conference and the Nine-Power Treaty, which aimed to stabilize the situation in East Asia. The protocol's consequences were also felt in Korea, which was annexed by Japan in 1910.

● Aftermath and Legacy

The Boxer Protocol is still remembered in China today as a symbol of foreign humiliation and interference. The protocol is seen as a key event in the Century of Humiliation, which marked the period of foreign domination and influence in China from the Opium Wars to the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. The protocol has also been the subject of significant historical research and debate, with scholars such as Jonathan Spence and Immanuel C.Y. Hsu writing extensively on the topic. The Boxer Protocol has also been compared to the Treaty of Kanagawa and the Treaty of Wanghia, which marked the beginning of United States influence in East Asia. The protocol's legacy can also be seen in the Chinese Civil War and the Korean War, which were both influenced by the Cold War and the Sino-Soviet split. The Boxer Protocol remains an important topic in the study of Chinese history, international relations, and diplomacy.

Category:History of China