The Boxer Rebellion
In this lesson, students will be able to
define the following terms:
Open Door Policy
“Boxers”
Boxer Rebellion
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In 1894, Japan
went to war
with China
and defeated
China. Japan
annexed Korea
and created its
own sphere of
influence in China.
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By 1899, Americans
feared they might
be prevented from
trading with China.
The Americans
proposed that all
nations should
have equal trading
rights in China.
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America’s
“Open Door” Policy
discouraged European
powers from further
dividing up China
and helped keep
China “open”
to trade.
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Many Chinese
resented
the growing
foreign
influence in
their
homeland.
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A Chinese group,
known as the “Boxers",
arose in rebellion in an
attempt to drive
out all foreigners
from China. The
“Boxers” belonged to a
secret society known
as the “Righteous and
Harmonious
Fists.”
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Hundreds of foreigners were killed by
angry mobs during the Boxer Rebellion.
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The Chinese government secretly
supported the Boxers.
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An international police force, composed
of troops from imperialist powers, finally
crushed the Boxer Rebellion.
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The Boxer Rebellion was brutally
crushed.
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The European imperial powers were
not prepared to depart from China
and its profitable trade.
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Even though the Boxer Rebellion
was crushed, it served to
encourage Chinese nationalism
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Chinese nationalists would continue
to fight against European domination
of China.
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Questions for Reflection:
• Why did the Japanese attack China?
• How did European and Japanese
imperialism affect the Chinese people?
• Who were the “Boxers” and why did they
rebel?
• Why did the Chinese government secretly
support the Boxers?
• What happened to the Boxers?
• What effects did the Boxers have on future
Chinese leaders?
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