Page 53 - History of War - Issue 10-14

THE BOXER REBELLION

Executioners from the 1900 massacre pose KEYFIGURES
for a picture with their victims

LORD PALMERSTON EMPEROR XIANFENG
(1784-1865) (1831-61)
Popular statesman and twice As the seventh Qing emperor
prime minister of the United and ruler of China during
Kingdom, Palmerston was the Second Opium War, he
appalled at China’s refusal maintained the Chinese
to free trade and demanded were superior and would not
reform. His efforts effectively bow to colonial demands.
began the First Opium War, His health deteriorated after
which, once won, opened the the burning of the Summer
doors for foreign nations to Palaces and he fi nally died a
take a stronghold in China. year after China’s defeat.

EMPRESS DOWAGER CIXI CLAUDE MAXWELL
(1835-1908) MACDONALD (1852-1915)
The concubine to Emperor Appointed British minister
Xianfeng was a hugely to the Qing dynasty and
infl uential fi gure during his Empire of Korea in 1896, he
reign and after his death, at was instrumental in Britain
which point she unoffi cially leasing Hong Kong from
controlled the Qing dynasty. China. He led the legation
Her support of the Boxer forces against the Boxers
Rebellion is viewed as a during the siege of Beijing
major factor in the collapse and went on to become
of the dynasty three years Britain’s fi rst ambassador
after her death. to Japan.

“PRINCE DUAN” ZAIYI CLEMENS FREIHERR VON
(1856-1922) KETTELER (1853-1900)
A pro-nationalist statesman A career German diplomat,
to the Qing dynasty, he he married a rich ancestor
arranged meetings between to the Bush family in the US.
the Boxers and Empress When Beijing was invaded in
Dowagger Cixi. Becoming retaliation for the murdered
head of the Foreign Offi ce, Boxer, von Ketteler ordered
he led the Boxers that his soldiers hunt them down,
besieged Beijing’s Church but after increasing violence
Of The Saviour. He was attempted to head for the
exiled after the rebellion was Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
crushed, only returning after His party was fi red upon and
the fall of the Qing Dynasty. he was killed.

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