Book Review: The Boxer Rebellion

Monday, December 18, 2006
The Boxer Rebellion: The Dramatic Story of China's War on Foreigners That Shook the World in the Summer of 1900

BY

DIANA PRESTON

19th century China was decaying fast after the failed opium war. European nations are fighting for trade concessinons and looting china. Also, there was rivalry between these countries for carving out china. Indeed, so deep was the rivalry that Japan and Russia fought a major war in 1905 as a consequence to whom Manchuria (NE china) belongs. In this situation, a new group of peasants waged a revolt against european imperialism and christian missionary works. They are called Boxers because they are like a cult who propound martial arts as a means of spirituality therby making people think them as a sort of sports club!! The chinese royalty of Manchu dynasty gives them support and thereby plunging the whole country into war. The european legation (sort of embassy for each country) inside the walled Peking city was under siege by these forces. On the wake of the terrible assauult, ALL the imperialist nations (including Russia and Japan) fought under a single commander for the first time and for the last time the world will ever see. Of course, they won hehhe
Very interesting read..

As a Far eastern history enthusiast, especially on the 1894-1950 Sino-Japanese relation with respect to Manchuria or ruling manchu dynasty, i eagerly devoured this book. Although, it is meant for lay men and definitely NOT an academic/scholarly piece, the coverage was still very extensive. But, it had one major drawback.It didnt delve in deep on what happend to Boxers in detail.Also, Why it started suddenly?

I loved this book for its many interesting trivia. It had many juicy stuff like the sexual life of some of the charcters including the Emperess Dowager herself (around 65 of age!). For more details, check the book "Decadent Mandchoue" written by a british of the same period who was the empress' lover in bed.

One thing the author reiterates.. British/American soldiers were professional and did thier duty well. French and other europeans were pathetically unprofessional. Russians were ferocious,undisciplined but gave good results. JAPANESE WERE THE BEST.PROVED THIER COUNTRY'S PRIDE IN MILITARY TECH. Germans were thirsting for revenge.

But, together these troops went for relieving the siege of all thier legations (embassies) stranded inside the walled city of Peking. With all the cruelty, the besieged foriegners withstood the Boxer's assault for 55 days and came out victorious..
Do you want to know who were the first to enter the city breaking the siege?
SIKH REGIMENT, followed by the Rajput regiment of our the British Army... We Indians are brave and noble.
Also, do you wnat to know who pillaged/looted/raped the city most..
RUSSIANS --- cossacks heheheh
French- Worst of all europeans.. Even the sikh soldiers commented them as the "sweeper caste of europe"..
Japanese were very clever that instead of looting the house, they diplomatically took hold of the area having the treasury therby getting silver/gold from the Govt. directly..
Americans were the only power to insist on less war damage penalty and even suggested using the money IN FULL for the education of chinese in US while the Germans were very brutal and wanted a maximum war indemnity.
I highly recommend this book for history buffs.
see amazon for more reviews...
http://www.amazon.com/Boxer-Rebellion-Dramatic-Chinas-Foreigners/dp/0802713610








 
posted by Maridass Balasubramanian at 3:46 PM, |

0 Comments: