The Origins of the Boxer Uprising (I)

Joseph W. Esherick in 1987 finished writing the book entitled "The Origins of the Boxer Uprising". In my view, it is among the best books written by western historians on the subject. In total there are 10 chapters. Esherick starts the book with an introduction on Shandong where the uprising began. He is meticulous in analysing the socio-economic position of Shandong. Then he looks at the history of popular culture in the region. It is Esherick's belief that 'Boxer uprising was not only provided by the physical and social environment of west Shandong, but also by the popular culture'.1 He points out that, as far as popular culture is concerned, the heroes in the Water Margin (shui-hu zhuan)(水滸傳) had their base near Liangshan in southwestern Shandong. Esherick then looks at the effect of imperialism in the region. One of his focus is to understand what sort of people opted to convert to foreign religions. He concludes that 'conversion to Christianity and especially to Catholicism was most attractive to those in need of protection - be it from the police power of the state, the economic exaction of the landlord, or the threat of poverty and potential starvation in a hostile environment'.2 In chapter four Esherick asserts that the Big Sword Society (大刀會) was related to the rise of the Boxer movement.3 And that the economy in some western parts of Shandong was based on illegal activities, including salt smuggling and opium production.4These activities helped create a lawless enviroment at the border region of Shandong-Jiansu. In the spring of 1895, banditry along the Shandong-Jiansu border caused the concern of the Court. Big Sword was used by the government as an ally in the campaign to suppress the illegal activities. In chapter six, Esherick theorizes that Boxers where transformed from the Big Swords, and the Guan county incidents had played a crucial role in this respect.5 (to be continued)

Notes
1.Joseph W. Esherick.The Origins of the Boxer Uprising. Berkeley,Los Angeles, London: University of California Press, 1987, page 38.
2.Ibid., page 91.
3.Ibid., page 96.
4.Ibid., page 99.
5.Ibid., page 136.