"In June 1900 China was torn apart by a savage uprising of the fiercely nationalistic Boxers, whose rallying cry was 'Protect the Empire: exterminate foreigners!' The rebellion, the plight of the foreign missionaries, traders, diplomats and tourists in China, and the subsequent international intervention, made front-page news around the world and marked a bloody beginning to the new century." "China, 1900 combines dramatic first-hand accounts with historical commentary to paint a picture of the whole rebellion, from the opening shots in June, the sieges and attacks, and the punitive expeditions, to the allied occupation of 1901. Accounts by soldiers and civilians describe the rise of the Boxers; the brave failure of the Seymour Expedition; the 55-day siege of Peking; the taking of Tientsin by the Allied Expeditionary force; and the eventual relief and occupation of Peking."--BOOK JACKET.