Battle of Peking

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This is about the battle of Beijing during the Qing Dynasty. For the battle of Beijing during the Jin Dynasty, see the Battle of Beijing. For the battle of the Second Sino-Japanese War battle, see the Battle of Beiping-Tianjin.

Battle of Peking

Part of Boxer Rebellion

Date	14-15 August 1900
Location	Peking, China
Result	Allied victory

Belligerents

Eight-Nation Alliance

China

Commanders

Alfred Gaselee

Nikolai Linevich

Strength

18,000

Casualties and losses

v • d • e Boxer Rebellion

Taku Forts – Foreign Legations – Tientsin – Yang-tsung – Peking

The Battle of Peking (also known as the Relief of Peking) was the final battle that relieved the besieged foreign legations in Peking during the Boxer Rebellion.

[edit] Background

The Boxer Rebellion started on 2 November 1899. From 20 June 1900, Boxer forces and Imperial Chinese troops had besieged foreign diplomats, citizens, and soldiers within the legations in Peking. The legations of Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, Austria-Hungary and the United States were besieged.

A first attempt to relieve the legations under British Admiral Edward Seymour was turned back on 26 June.

The second relief force, under the leadership of British Lieutenant-General Alfred Gaselee, was composed of troops from eight different nations and was aptly called the Eight-Nation Alliance.

[edit] Battle

On 14 August, having marched 70 miles from Tiensin, the international force reached Peking. The Russian General Nikolai Linevich was the first to enter the city. The legations were relieved on 15 August and the major fighting of the Boxer Rebellion was effectively over. However, sporadic fighting continued until 7 September 1901.

[edit] In popular culture

This battle is famously portrayed in the 1963 film 55 Days at Peking. It presents a dramatic conclusion to the Boxer Rebellion, followed by a scene depicting the final downfall of the Qing Dynasty.