OCR A Level History A Unit Group 3 Thematic study and historical interpretations: China and its Rulers 1839-1989 November 2020 question paper Y317

Evaluate the interpretations in both of the two passages and explain which you think is more convincing as an explanation of the origin of the I-ho ch’uan (Boxers) and their links to the Court.

Passage A Adapted from J. King Fairbank and M. Goldman China: A New History 2nd ed, P229-231, Harvard University Press, 2006. Item removed due to third party copyright restrictions.

Adapted from: J. King Fairbank and M. Goldman, China: A New History second edition, published 2006.

Passage B

In spring 1899, in a bid to put an end to riots in Shandong, Germany sent an expedition into some villages, where the soldiers burnt down hundreds of houses and shot dead a number of villagers. In the wake of these atrocities, a group that had been known for about a year as the Society of the Righteous and Harmonious Fists, gained immense popularity and acquired hundreds of thousands of followers. This society blamed all the ills of the country and the hardship of their lives on foreigners, and vowed to drive them out. They were dubbed the ‘Boxers’ by the foreign press. People joined the Boxers for many different reasons. Some hated the Germans who had destroyed their homes. Others had scores to settle with neighbours. Still others sought release for their pent-up anxiety as this year’s harvest looked likely to fail.

When violence against Christians broke out, Cixi ordered the perpetrators arrested and ‘punished severely’. Cixi replaced the Governor of Shandong who hated Western powers and was unwilling to protect Christians. His replacement, General Yuan Shikai, was determined to use force to suppress the Boxers, which Cixi endorsed. On 19 February 1900, Cixi banned the Boxers in the provinces where they were active, but refused the order of foreign powers to extend the ban. She would punish those who had committed violence and broken the law, but would not criminalise the average members. Pragmatic men around Cixi saw that a collision with the West was imminent and counselled negotiation with the foreign powers. Prince Duan and other like-minded princes and aristocrats tried to convince Cixi the Boxers were loyal, fearless and ‘disciplined’ and offered to organise the Boxers into a fighting force.

Adapted from: J. Chang, Empress Dowager Cixi, published in 2013.

2* ‘Agriculture always proved more challenging to reform than industry.’ How far do you agree with

this view of the economy of China in the years from 1839 to 1989?

3* ‘Social change threatened Chinese governments throughout the period from 1839 to 1989.’ How

far do you agree?

4* ‘The Unequal Treaties were the most important turning point in China’s relationship with foreign

powers in the years from 1839 to 1989.’ How far do you agree?