CER
Did the boxers deserve a bad rap?
This is a very arguable question; however, I think that The Boxers did not deserve a bad rap.
Evidence 1: The opium war, the opium war hurt China badly! The Chinese were addicted to opium and cannot quit this habit of smoking opium. Around 12 million people were smoking opium at the time. This caused several societies’ loss and most importantly, a ton of economic loss (lost a lot of money).
Evidence 2: Because the Chinese lost a ton of money in the opium trade, and with the population kept growing, the Chinese were short on crops/food. Apparently the in 60 years, the population grew 30%. However, food production barely increased. So, hunger was very widespread even in the “good years.”
Evidence 3: Foreign Pressure and Influence, during that time, foreign Christian missioners were constantly trying to sell their country’s goods to Chinese people. Their influence in China becomes stronger and stronger. Increasing their influence over China’s economy. And this made the Chinese scared and soon they will start taking action —> the boxer rebellion.
Evidence 4: When China spilt lands to the Western powers, China was not happy at all. However, couldn’t take action back. The Chinese were always wanting to get rid of the foreigners living in China, buy they just didn’t quit find the right way. They knew that if they started fighting back, they will end up losing and signing more unequal treaties. The Chinese were all been waiting for a chance, and now. There is the boxer rebellion.
Evidence 5: The Taipei Rebellion, the Taipei Rebellion was a group of people who were led by Hong Xiuquan to overtake the Qing Dynasty. Because the government have to take money from the citizens in China, the farmers/citizen are on the edge of surviving. So, they are on the mission to end the Qing Dynasty. However, they fail at the end and was killed. Over 20 million people in total were killed and this damaged the Chinese Emperor.