The Taiping & Boxer Rebellions w/ Ken Hammond (Modern Chinese History Pt. 1)
Mar 22, 2024
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Exploration of Taiping & Boxer Rebellions in modern Chinese history with insights on resistance to Western imperialism. Taiping movement's rejection of Western influence, economic turmoil, and organizational issues. Origins of Boxer Rebellion, support for Islamic groups, and preview of Chinese Civil War in upcoming episodes.
The Taiping Rebellion challenged hierarchies with egalitarian policies but faced internal tensions and military defeat.
The Boxer Rebellion emerged from economic distress and martial arts traditions in Shandong province.
Western imperialism deepened in China post-Taiping Rebellion, influencing conflicting elite responses to modernization efforts.
The transition from Taiping to Boxer Rebellion featured Japan's rapid modernization, escalating tensions with Western powers.
The Boxer Rebellion mobilized against Western influences and missionary privileges, aligning with the Qing state.
Christian conversions led to privileges, causing resentment and disruptions in rural Chinese communities during the Boxer Rebellion.
Deep dives
The Origins of the Boxer Rebellion
The Boxer Rebellion, originating in Shandong province, stems from a martial arts tradition in a region economically affected by the hollowing out of the Chinese economy. The Boxers practiced martial arts and were present in village societies in Western Shandong. The German concession in Chindau added to the tensions in the region as the Germans established their presence, including a brewery.
Context Setting: Post-Taiping Period
Following the Taiping Rebellion, China faced continued encroachments by Western imperial powers. Western missionaries expanded aggressively throughout China, and economic penetration deepened with the influx of Western goods and technologies. The internal power dynamics within the Chinese elite complicated effective responses to imperialism, with conflicting views on modernization efforts and reform.
Internal Dynamics and Western Relations
The political transformation of Japan through the Meiji restoration and subsequent rapid modernization highlighted the relative decline of China. The defeat of China by Japan in the Sino-Japanese War further humiliated China and intensified the political and social crisis. While Western imperialists initially engaged with the Taiping Rebellion, tensions arose, leading to a self-defense strategy and eventual minimal support to thwart the rebellion.
Mobilization and Orientations in the Boxer Rebellion
The Boxer Rebellion mobilized through a martial arts tradition in Western Shandong province, attracting support from village societies. Originating from economic distress and a history of martial arts traditions, the Boxers practiced a form of martial arts and were an established presence in the region. The Qing dynasty initially had a varied stance towards the Boxer Rebellion, stemming from the martial arts origins and economic conditions in the area.
Transition from Taiping to Boxer Rebellions
The transition from the Taiping Rebellion to the Boxer Rebellion involved economic distress, martial arts traditions in Western Shandong, accelerated modernization in Japan, and escalating tensions within China due to Western imperialism. As the Boxers mobilized, the Qing dynasty faced challenges in reconciling their responses to the rebellion amidst internal power dynamics and external pressures from Western powers.
Impacts and Legacy of the Taiping Rebellion
The Taiping Rebellion, a bloody conflict resulting in significant loss of life, marked a critical event in Chinese history challenging the established order and hierarchies. Although the movement had successes in implementing egalitarian policies, internal tensions, hierarchical tendencies, and military defeat played significant roles in its ultimate failure. The legacy of the Taiping Rebellion serves as a cautionary tale on the complexities of revolutionary movements and their internal and external challenges.
Boxer Rebellion: Martial Arts Origins and Regional Context
Originating from a martial arts tradition in Western Shandong province, the Boxer Rebellion reflects the economic distress and martial heritage present in the region. The Boxers mobilized from village societies, practicing martial arts and holding a distinct presence in the area. Furthermore, the German concession in Chindau added to the tensions, fueling the local discontent and contributing to the origins of the Boxer Rebellion.
Post-Taiping Period: Western Incursions and Elite Dynamics
Following the Taiping Rebellion, China faced continued encroachments by Western imperial powers, deepening economic penetration and missionary activities. The internal power dynamics within the Chinese elite led to conflicting responses to modernization efforts and the challenges posed by Western imperialism. Efforts like the self-strengthening movement were met with opposition from segments of the elite, hindering effective responses to the escalating imperial pressures.
Transitioning from Taiping to Boxer Rebellions
The transition from the Taiping Rebellion to the Boxer Rebellion was marked by economic distress, martial arts traditions in Western Shandong province, Japan's rapid modernization, and escalating tensions with Western imperial powers. The mobilization of the Boxers from a martial arts heritage in the region and the ambiguous stance of the Qing dynasty towards the rebellion underscored the internal and external pressures that shaped the emergence of the Boxer Rebellion.
Boxer Rebellion Mobilization and Qing Dynasty Responses
The Boxer Rebellion, originating from martial arts traditions in Western Shandong province, attracted support from local communities facing economic hardship. The Qing dynasty initially navigated varied reactions towards the rebellion due to its martial roots and the regional economic context. As the Boxers mobilized, tensions mounted, reflecting the complex interplay between internal dynamics, regional distress, and responses to Western incursions.
The Impact of Missionaries in Rural Shandong Province
In rural Shandong province, missionary activity led to disruptions within village communities due to contradictions arising from the embrace of Christianity by local Chinese. Those converting to Christianity gained economic, social, and political privileges as missionaries supported and elevated them. This favoritism caused resentment among non-Christians, leading to a situation where officials ruled in favor of Christians to avoid upsetting the missionaries and foreign influences.
The Boxer Rebellion and its Evolution
The Boxer Rebellion emerged as an anti-imperialist movement challenging Western influences, missionary privileges, and collaboration with the Qing state. Initially viewed as rebels by the Qing, the Boxers transitioned to align with the Qing against Western imperialism. The rebellion grew into a mass movement advocating the expulsion of foreigners, leading to the Qing state supporting the Boxers. Ultimately, the Boxers' slogan shifted to 'expel the barbarians, support the Qing,' culminating in the Boxers laying siege to the Legation Quarter in Beijing, a pivotal moment in the rebellion.
In this episode of Guerrilla History, we launch our 4 part miniseries on modern Chinese history featuring Ken Hammond (and guest host Breht O'Shea of Revolutionary Left Radio) with this terrific discussion on the Taiping and Boxer Rebellions! Be sure to go back and listen to the previous episode we did with Ken in the fall, which serves as a bit of an introductory work for this miniseries. The other three installments will drop every other week (with other episodes in between), and will cover the Chinese Revolution/Civil War, the Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution, and the Reform period, so be sure to subscribe to not miss any of those coming episodes!
Ken Hammond is Professor of East Asian and Global History at New Mexico State University. He has been engaged in radical politics since his involvement in the anti-war movement at Kent State in 1968-70. Ken is also the author of the book China’s Revolution & the Quest for a Socialist Future.
