The boxer indemnity: five decades of Sino-American dissension

Abstract

In 1900 the United States joined several foreign powers in a military expedition to Peking to rescue their diplomats besieged by the Boxers and Chinese army. The resulting diplomacy affected Sino-American relations for a half-century in more practical ways than the well-publicized aspirations of the open door. The most critical result was the non-punitive $330,000,000 indemnity with its $24,400,000 American share. In the diplomacy and negotiations which led to the indemnity, the United States demonstrated its traditional independence and moralistic world-view. Convinced that the other powers sought only plunder, the Americans sought to save China by arguing for moderation and refusing to compromise. The United States received, nevertheless, an indemnity twice its claimed expenses. Despite this, the Americans retained their sense of moral innocence, certain that their efforts had reaffirmed Sino-American friendship. In 1908 and 1924 the United States conditionally returned its excess indemnity and all the interest in two educational remissions. Since China continued to make monthly payments to the United States, it was not relieved of any financial burden. Although the Chinese preferred industrial projects, Americans saw education as a more moral method to aid China while strengthening their influence. Although ignored by historians, education became a central theme in twentieth-century Sino-American relations. The first remission provided for the education of Chinese students in the United States and led to the establishment of Tsinghua College as a preparatory school, a function which Chinese nationalists resented. After two decades of struggle over Tsinghua's purpose, during which several problems developed with the educational program, the Chinese wore down American resistance and transformed Tsinghua into a Chinese university and altered the Boxer scholarship program. The second remission established the China Foundation for the Promotion of Education and Culture which dispensed the money to already established Chinese educational and research institutions. It also suffered nationalist attacks. These misguided efforts to establish an enduring, direct influence upon China through education failed, but since the China Foundation and two Tsinghua universities still exist, these American efforts to shape the future of China continue to be felt today.