The Boxers do not deserve a bad reputation. Firstly, we must consider that this was, in a way, the Opium Wars were a prequel to the Boxer Rebellion. In this, the British (and foreigners) had completely ruined their reputation to the Chinese. The Chinese built on rules that would cherish and protect their culture from foreigners. However, it was the British who disobeyed these rules. Not only did they disobey the trade rules the Chinese rules, but they also disobeyed China’s drug rules by illegally trading opium with the Chinese. This would quite obviously leave a salty taste in the Chinese’ mouth, especially since the British won when this was their fault. Chinese people would most definitely not be happy. 

Secondly, those who had converted to Christianity refused to join the rituals, which angered the people. This was during a drought in Shandong, making people desperate. This drought lasted for two years and everything was slowly dying. As the people were loyal to Buddhism or Confucianism, they believed that those who refused to join the rituals were the reason for the drought; this was god’s way of revolting revenge. Some may say that this was the not-yet Boxers fault, but imagine being so desperate as you watch everything around you die out with no reasonable answer? Plus, the British and Japanese had left the wet fish in the Chinese mouths. 

Therefore the Boxers do not deserve a bad reputation.