Cultural Differences:
- Religious Differences
The Boxers held a large amount of animosity towards Christian missionaries in China due to heavy commitment to Buddhist and Taoist ideals and Chinese cultural resistance to change.
- Technological Differences
Boxers would rely on primarily martial arts and the use of swords or pole arms in combat as opposed to the use of firearms for Western powers. While some during the rebellion would use guns against the Europeans, many were against this due to a commitment to the Chinese culture which involved melee weapons as well as the belief in invincibility after practicing certain Boxer rituals.
- Political Differences
China had a long standing tradition of isolationism which had obviously been shattered due to western concepts of colonialism being applied into China by European powers.
- Structural Differences
China had been a very isolationist nation as stated above, which meant that new explorations were not encouraged but instead a society should remain the same rather than adapt or change. Also, Chinese society was also based on the ideal that an individual is not significant, but rather the society as a whole is important in order to serve the gods and the emperor. The west however, based society on discovery, invention, and technology as well as a basis on individuality and personal freedom in order to find personal fame and wealth, also based on the concept of capitalism, another important part of European society.
How were the Chinese viewed? (Overall)
The Chinese are separated into two groups, the general public/mob and Chinese Christians. Chinese Christians are generally paired with the Westerners and viewed in a favorable light. The mob, consisting of the anti-western side of the rebellion, are typically seen as savage, massacring any foreigners and desecrating any influence of the west as well conducting atrocities such as robbery on numerous people within the sources, and the beheadings of both foreigners and Chinese Christians.
How were the Foreigners viewed? (Overall)
Foreigners are seen within the sources as generally positive, partially due to the fact that most of the sources are written by foreigners or people working with foreigners. This view would consist of displaying Europeans as a group of innocent, oppressed people trying to overcome trials due to the description of Chinese mobs persecuting any Christians, a religion that was heavily tied to Europeans. In some cases, they were also seen as the saviors, as they liberated the city of Peking and freed anyone hiding within.
- Religious Differences
The Boxers held a large amount of animosity towards Christian missionaries in China due to heavy commitment to Buddhist and Taoist ideals and Chinese cultural resistance to change.
- Technological Differences
Boxers would rely on primarily martial arts and the use of swords or pole arms in combat as opposed to the use of firearms for Western powers. While some during the rebellion would use guns against the Europeans, many were against this due to a commitment to the Chinese culture which involved melee weapons as well as the belief in invincibility after practicing certain Boxer rituals.
- Political Differences
China had a long standing tradition of isolationism which had obviously been shattered due to western concepts of colonialism being applied into China by European powers.
- Structural Differences
China had been a very isolationist nation as stated above, which meant that new explorations were not encouraged but instead a society should remain the same rather than adapt or change. Also, Chinese society was also based on the ideal that an individual is not significant, but rather the society as a whole is important in order to serve the gods and the emperor. The west however, based society on discovery, invention, and technology as well as a basis on individuality and personal freedom in order to find personal fame and wealth, also based on the concept of capitalism, another important part of European society.
How were the Chinese viewed? (Overall)
The Chinese are separated into two groups, the general public/mob and Chinese Christians. Chinese Christians are generally paired with the Westerners and viewed in a favorable light. The mob, consisting of the anti-western side of the rebellion, are typically seen as savage, massacring any foreigners and desecrating any influence of the west as well conducting atrocities such as robbery on numerous people within the sources, and the beheadings of both foreigners and Chinese Christians.
How were the Foreigners viewed? (Overall)
Foreigners are seen within the sources as generally positive, partially due to the fact that most of the sources are written by foreigners or people working with foreigners. This view would consist of displaying Europeans as a group of innocent, oppressed people trying to overcome trials due to the description of Chinese mobs persecuting any Christians, a religion that was heavily tied to Europeans. In some cases, they were also seen as the saviors, as they liberated the city of Peking and freed anyone hiding within.