Open Door Policy 100 Days of Reform 1898

• Young Emperor Guang Xi (Guan Chi) • 1899 – Foreign countries have increasing Spheres launches new reforms: of Influence in China • U.S. Sec. of State John Hay proposes China have • Modernize government based on West an “Open Door Policy” to ensure equal access to • Adopt new education system (West) China by opening doors to all merchants • Free press No foreign nation objects, thereby protecting U.S. trade in China and reducing tension between • Train military with modern weapons nations competing for spheres of influence

Empress Dowager Ci Xi 1835-1908 The Boxer Rebellion 1898-1900

• Ci Xi opposes her nephew’s reforms • Beginning in 1898, groups of peasants in • has Emperor imprisoned northern China began to band together into • Rules China 1861-1908 a secret society known as I-ho ch'üan ("Righteous and Harmonious Fists") • Members of the secret society practiced boxing and shadow boxing rituals which they believed would make them impervious to bullets.

Boxers Slogan: “Destroy the Foreigner”

• Boxers resented the privileges of foreigners and Chinese Christians • Boxers rebel against the Dowager Empress for granting foreigners privileges • Roving bands slaughter missionaries, converts, foreigners • 1900 –20,000 Boxers march on Beijing

1 Allied Response to Rebellion The West Responds

• 20,000 British, U.S., French, German, • Foreign troops take Beijing – restore order Russian, & Japanese troops attack Beijing • China must pay an indemnity – payment for in August 1900– crush Boxers and restore damages order and demand concessions. • Chinese government must pay heavy indemnity – a payment for damages • Imperial government a lowest point

Chinese Nationalism Dowager Empress Ci Xi

• In 1905, the Dowager Empress sent a select group of Chinese officials on a world tour to study the operation of different governments. • The group traveled to Japan, the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and Italy. • On their return in the spring of 1906, the officials recommended that China restructure its government. They based their suggestions on the constitutional monarchy of Japan. The empress accepted this recommendation and began making reforms. • Although she convened a national assembly within a year, change was slow. In 1908, the court announced that it would establish a full constitutional government by 1917.

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