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In 1900, with the approval of the Dowager Empress of China, a Chinese militia, the I Ho Chuan, ( or “Righteous Harmony Fists,” hence “Boxer”) began, under the motto “Protect the country, destroy the foreigner!” to kill both Westerners and Chinese Christians. The German ambassador in Peking was murdered, as were thousands of Chinese Christians throughout China, and the Boxers laid siege to the Legation Quarter at Peking.
The ninety-day siege of Peking was relieved on August 14, 1900, by an international force made up of Russian, French, Italian, German, English, and American troops.
The Imperial Court fled to Sian. Although war had not been declared against China, the
“Foreign Powers” nevertheless demanded a formal settlement. The Protocol of 1901
provided, among other things, for the punishment of those responsible for the Boxer Rebellion; the fortification of the Legation Quarter at Peking, to be manned by “Powers”
troops; and the maintenance by foreign troops of communication between Peking and the sea.
As far as the Americans were concerned, this initially meant the stationing of U.S. Army troops and U.S. Marines in Shanghai, Peking, and elsewhere; and the formation of the U.S. Navy Yangtze River Patrol. The Navy acquired shallow draft steamers, armed them, designated them “Gun Boats,” and ran them up and down the Yangtze River.
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