The Siege and the "Victory"
The question of "who won the 55 Days at Peking" is not as straightforward as a simple scoreline. The period known as the **55 Days at Peking** refers to the siege of the foreign legations in Peking (now Beijing) during the Boxer Rebellion in the summer of 1900. While the foreign powers ultimately prevailed in lifting the siege and quelling the rebellion, the concept of "winning" is complex and fraught with consequences that reshaped China and its relationship with the Western world.
The Boxer Rebellion: A Brief Overview
The Boxer Rebellion was an anti-foreign, anti-Christian uprising that began in northern China in 1899. The Boxers, a secret society known as the "Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists," believed they were invulnerable to foreign weapons and sought to expel all foreigners and foreign influence from China. They targeted missionaries, Chinese Christians, and foreign property, eventually escalating their attacks to the legations in Peking.
The Siege of the Legations
From June 20 to August 14, 1900, the foreign diplomatic legations in Peking were under siege by Boxer rebels and elements of the Chinese Imperial Army, who had ostensibly sided with the Boxers. Inside the legations, approximately 400 foreign civilians, diplomats, and soldiers, along with thousands of Chinese Christians seeking refuge, faced starvation, disease, and constant bombardment. They defended themselves with meager supplies and a fierce determination to survive.
The Allied Intervention
In response to the escalating violence and the dire situation of their citizens, an international military force, known as the Eight-Nation Alliance, was assembled. This alliance comprised troops from Great Britain, France, Germany, Russia, the United States, Japan, Italy, and Austria-Hungary. Their objective was to relieve the besieged legations and suppress the rebellion.
The Lifting of the Siege and the "Victory"
On August 14, 1900, the Allied forces finally reached Peking and broke the siege, rescuing the trapped foreigners. The Boxers and the Imperial Army were routed, and the rebellion was effectively crushed. In this immediate military sense, the **foreign powers won** the 55 Days at Peking. They achieved their primary objective of saving their citizens and demonstrating their military superiority.
The Bitter Aftermath and the True "Winners"
However, the "victory" was far from a clear-cut triumph. The Boxer Rebellion and the subsequent Allied intervention had devastating consequences for China:
- The Boxer Protocol: The Allied powers imposed the Boxer Protocol on China in 1901. This treaty was incredibly harsh and humiliating for the Chinese government. It included:
- A massive indemnity (reparations) of 450 million taels of silver, which crippled China's economy for decades.
- The execution of several Qing officials who had supported the Boxers.
- The dismantling of fortifications in Peking and the surrounding areas.
- The stationing of foreign troops in Peking and along the railway lines to Tianjin.
- Restrictions on the import of arms into China.
- Weakening of the Qing Dynasty: While the Qing dynasty officially remained in power, its authority was severely undermined. The Empress Dowager Cixi, who had initially supported the Boxers, was forced to flee Peking and later negotiated the humiliating peace terms. The rebellion and its suppression exposed the Qing's inability to govern effectively or protect its people from foreign encroachment.
- Increased Foreign Influence: The intervention solidified and expanded foreign control over various aspects of Chinese life, including trade, railways, and even territorial concessions in some cases.
- Resentment and Nationalism: The harshness of the Boxer Protocol and the continued foreign presence fueled a deep sense of resentment and a burgeoning Chinese nationalism. This ultimately contributed to the eventual overthrow of the Qing Dynasty in 1911 and the rise of new political movements.
Therefore, while the **Eight-Nation Alliance militarily succeeded in ending the siege**, the long-term "winners" are debatable. China suffered immensely, and the seeds of future revolution were sown. Some historians argue that the true long-term "winner" was the idea of Chinese nationalism, which was galvanized by the experience of foreign occupation and exploitation.
The 55 Days at Peking was a brutal chapter in Chinese history, marked by desperate defense and ultimately, foreign intervention. The immediate military victory for the Allied powers came at a profound cost to China, both in terms of human suffering and national sovereignty.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How did the foreign powers manage to rescue the besieged legations?
The rescue was achieved through the deployment of a multinational military force, the Eight-Nation Alliance. This army, composed of troops from eight different countries, fought its way to Peking, overcoming resistance from Boxer rebels and Imperial Chinese forces, and successfully breaking the siege.
Why did the Boxers rebel in the first place?
The Boxer Rebellion was fueled by a complex mix of anti-foreign sentiment, resentment towards Christian missionaries and Chinese converts, and economic hardship. The Boxers believed that foreign influence and Christianity were corrupting traditional Chinese society and sought to expel all foreigners.
What was the most significant consequence of the Boxer Rebellion for China?
The most significant consequence was the imposition of the Boxer Protocol by the Allied powers. This treaty resulted in immense financial reparations for China, further erosion of its sovereignty, and a substantial increase in foreign control, deeply humiliating the Chinese government and people.
Were there any positive outcomes for China from the Boxer Rebellion?
While the immediate period was disastrous, the Boxer Rebellion and its aftermath are often seen as a catalyst for change. The humiliation and the demonstrated weakness of the Qing Dynasty contributed significantly to the rise of Chinese nationalism and ultimately paved the way for the republican revolution of 1911.
