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Discontent with Imperialism As imperialists relied more and more on harsh repression to maintain control over their colonial holdings, faith in the civilizing influence of Europe gave way to doubt and distress.
Fierce uprisings in Africa particularly unsettled Europeans who struggled to understand why Africans would reject the fruits of modernity. Rebellions came at a steady pace, even after areas had been "pacified." The Afrikaner War, fought between two white states over the gold-laden Transvaal, introduced guerrilla warfare, concentration camps, and modern reporting of the carnage. News of German genocidal policies was just as chilling. Apologists tried to soften the horror by portraying Africans as innocents or loyal subjects.
After facing a humiliating defeat in the Sino-Japanese War, China then turned to meet expanding Western influence as the powers carved out "spheres of influence." Although anxious to carry out reform, the Chinese emperor found powerful opponents. Conservative and anti-European to an extreme, these opponents sought a chance to destroy imperialism. Incidents involving missionaries offered imperialists a pretense to make demands on the Chinese government, fostering resentment at all levels of society. From the bottom strata of Chinese society emerged the Boxers—martial arts groups that aimed at ridding China of Christians once and for all. Poverty and natural disaster stimulated the growth of the Boxers, including the female Red Lanterns. Magical tokens and chants gave both groups confidence to act. Unable to check the growth of the Boxers, the conservative court encouraged them to attack foreigners instead of Chinese Christians. Violence led to bloodshed before a multinational force arrived to crush the Boxers and place punishing exactions on the court. The Qing, somewhat humbled, moved to reform the government but only succeeded in alienating its own populace. Although the Boxers failed, they demonstrated how unpopular the foreign presence had become and what a loyal populist movement could accomplish. >> Continue to the next part of the Summary: Worldwide Anxieties
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