Themes

Conflict and Change

• Introduction

• In Focus: 1900

  • Surface Fleet

  • Submarines

  • Royal Marines

  • Fleet Air Arm

• In Focus: World War One

• In Focus: Interwar

• In Focus: World War Two

• In Focus: Post War Conflict

• In Focus: Cold War Climate

• In Focus: Falklands and Beyond

• Special Exhibition: Falklands 25

Learning

• How To: Understand Propaganda

• Propaganda Image Galleries

• Education Project: Sea With Your Own Eyes

The Boxer Rebellion, 1900

Ashore in China

In 1900 unrest in China was sparked by the activities of the members of ‘The Righteous and Harmonious Society Movement’, or Boxers, a group against the rise in foreign trade and culture on their country.

By May the activities of the Boxers threatened the foreign legations, or embassies in Peking situated in a compound outside the city walls.

A force of Royal Marines were stationed at the British Legation in Peking, managing to defend it until an international relief force bolstered defences.

Three officers and 76 marines of the Royal Marine Light Infantry were amongst the international relief force of British, American, Russian, German, Italian, Austrian and Japanese assigned to the task of protecting the legations.

This was the first time that the Royal Marines fought alongside the United States Marine Corps – establishing a strong bond that continues today.

The International Gun at Peking, China. Boxer Rebellion, 1900. (RMM)

Article highlights

• Ashore in China

• Defence of the Peking Legation

• International relief force
  

Follow the links to find out more about -

• Sea service

• Gunnery and repository

• The Boer War

• The Boxer Rebellion

• Flying Marines