The Boxers, known as "I Ho Ch'uan," aimed to expel foreign influence from China. They began attacking foreigners in early 1900, and in June, foreign forces seized the Taku port. The Boxers then joined the Imperial Army in Peking, and Dowager Empress Tzu Hsi declared war on all foreigners. Together, they besieged foreign legations in Peking. A multinational force of 10,000, including European nations, the US, and Japan, fought for 52 days to reach Peking. On August 14th, they liberated the besieged legations.

The movement began as a result of deep-seated resentment against foreign influence and control, which had been growing for several decades. During this time, China had suffered a series of humiliating defeats in conflicts with Western powers and Japan, leading to numerous unequal treaties that favored the interests of these foreign nations.

The Boxers, who called themselves "I Ho Ch'uan" (meaning "Righteous and Harmonious Fists"), were a secret society made up primarily of peasants and other members of the lower classes. They practiced martial arts and believed they had supernatural powers that would make them impervious to bullets and other forms of harm. Their ultimate goal was to rid China of foreign influence, particularly that of Western missionaries and other foreigners who had come to dominate various aspects of Chinese society and economy.

The Boxer Rebellion officially began in early 1900 when the Boxers started to attack and kill foreigners across China. They targeted Christian missionaries, Chinese converts to Christianity, and others who were perceived as symbols of foreign influence. As the situation escalated, foreign governments grew increasingly concerned about the safety of their citizens in China and began to take action.

In June 1900, foreign troops captured the strategic Chinese coastal port at Taku, which was an important gateway to the capital, Peking (now known as Beijing). This event marked a turning point in the rebellion, as it led the Boxers to enter Peking and merge with the Imperial Army. At the time, the Imperial government was under the control of the Dowager Empress Tzu Hsi, who decided to support the Boxers' cause and officially declared war on all foreigners in China.

The combined forces of the Boxers and the Imperial Army laid siege to the foreign legations in Peking, where diplomats, their families, and other foreign nationals were living. The situation quickly became dire for those trapped inside the legations, as they faced constant attacks and dwindling supplies of food and water.

In response to the crisis, a coalition of European nations, the United States, and Japan formed the Eight-Nation Alliance, which assembled a force of approximately 10,000 men to lift the siege and protect their citizens in China. This multinational force embarked on a challenging campaign, taking 52 days to fight its way through hostile territory and reach Peking.

The foreign troops faced numerous obstacles, including difficult terrain, a lack of reliable maps, and resistance from both the Boxers and the Chinese Imperial Army. Nevertheless, the Eight-Nation Alliance was ultimately successful in its mission, as its forces entered Peking on August 14, 1900, and managed to relieve the embattled legations.

The immediate aftermath of the Boxer Rebellion saw the signing of the Boxer Protocol on September 7, 1901. This agreement imposed a series of harsh terms on China, including indemnities, the execution of key officials responsible for supporting the rebellion, and the stationing of foreign troops in the country to maintain order. The Boxer Protocol further weakened China's position in the international community and contributed to the erosion of the Qing Dynasty's authority.

The Boxer Rebellion and its aftermath had significant and far-reaching consequences for China and its relationship with foreign powers. It exposed the inability of the Qing Dynasty to maintain control over its own territory and protect its citizens from foreign aggression, thus fueling the growing movement for political and social reform within the country.