Policy of Leading World States in China in Connection With the Rebellion of Ichetuans (1899-1901)

Abstract

The aim of the study is to highlight key aspects of British, Russia, USA, Japan and Germany foreign policy in China in connection with the Ihetuan uprising of 1899-1901.

Commonly used research methods were used to reveal the topic. In particular, the author adhered to the principle of historicism, systematic, which made it possible to trace the dynamics of the transformation of British foreign policy doctrine during the uprising of 1899-1901. The author emphasizes that at the end of the 19^th century, Britain’s relations with the «great powers» in the Asia-Pacific region were extremely unstable. Very often the colonial powers were principal rivals on the world stage. Periods of cooperation and allied relations were usually replaced by conflicts, the purpose of which was to prevent any of them from approaching their own controlled territories or potential spheres of influence. The emergence of new regional leaders (USA, Japan, Germany), the gradual departure from the policy of «brilliant isolation» forced London to significantly transform its foreign policy towards finding strategic allies.

The key aspects are the policy of maneuvering and containment that the British ruling circles have tried to use in the Far East towards both regional players and controlled territories. This was especially evident in 1899, when the international situation in the Far East worsened again in connection with the anti-Western Ichetuan uprising in China.

The study also contains the positions of some leading countries on the situation in China and their relations with the United Kingdom. It is mainly about the peculiarities of the Anglo-German negotiations and the possible union and outlines the general prospects for the future Anglo-Japanese alliance. The author notes that in many respects the actions of the British government were aimed at weakening the position of the main competitor in the Far East – Russia.

The great powers, including Great Britain, were united in their intention to preserve the semi-colonial position of the Celestial Empire and the unequal treaties imposed on it. To this end, foreign intervention in China began, culminating in the suppression of the Ikhetuan uprising.