Asia 723
MID#31
Dispute Number: 31
Date(s): May 30, 1900 to January 16, 1901
Participants: 2 United States of America, 200 United Kingdom, 220 France, 255
Germany, 300 Austria-Hungary, 325 Italy, 365 Russia, 740 Japan/710 China
Outcome (and Settlement): Victory for side A (Negotiated)
Fatalities: >999 deaths
Narrative: The Boxer Rebellion, pitting China against a grand alliance of foreign
powers, had multiple causes. Frustrations in China mounted over unequal treaties
with foreign powers, the growing presence of foreign nationals, and the influences and
ideas that came with the new population. A resistance group, known in English as the
“Boxers,” emerged. They engaged in riots and violence against Chinese Christians and
British missionaries, who bore the brunt of their rage. A May 30, 1900, riot resulted
in the death of two British missionaries in Pao Ting Fu, prompting an ultimatum by
Western diplomats. The Chinese had 24 hours to restore peace to the area or Western
forces would enter. The Chinese lacked an adequate time to respond. The Boxers
rioted throughout Beijing, threatening the Legation Quarter, and the powers ultimately
took action. The ensuing war had the effect of quelling the Boxers and restoring order
to the besieged Legation Quarter. The issue dragged on (see MID#2314) until the
Qing government in China was compelled to pay a large indemnity for the troubles of
the eight-nation alliance.
Coding changes: End Date changed from August 16, 1900. Settlement changed from
Imposed.
MID#2208
Started in March 1926. See the narrative in the 710 China/740 Japan dyad dispute
list.
MID#145
Dispute Number: 145
Date(s): January 5, 1927 to March 28, 1927
Participants: 2 United States of America, 200 United Kingdom, 220 France, 230
Spain, 235 Portugal, 325 Italy, 740 Japan/710 China
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: Missing
Narrative: Riots broke out in the British concession of Hankow on January 5, 1927,
and mobs began to seek out foreign nationals (particularly British) to attack. Brit-
ish and American warships responded immediately, traveling up the Yangtze River
and establishing themselves at the port. By the next day, two American steamers
had been seized, and the entire British concession was under the control of the Can-
tonese Nationalist forces. The British and American forces subsequently pulled out
of Hankow and made their way to the international concession at Shanghai (which
at this point in time was basically three separate cities: the French concession, an