The Eight Allied Nations

Map Of The City Of Beijing 1900

Although ”The Eight Allied Nations” has become a set phrase used to describe the allied forces that quelled the Boxer Rebellion, only troops from four nations – Great Britain, Russia, the United States and Japan – actually made it to Beijing at first. Even though the multinational force was labeled ”allied”, the Russians did not stick to plan when the attack on Beijing was launched, and the British commander Gaselee had to rush in to participate in a campaign that on paper he was supposed to lead. In this map it can be seen how the four nations entered the city and where they would camp. The British settled in the Temple of Heaven and Gaselee’s Bengal lancers would stage theatricals on the great round marble altar from where the emperor used to address heaven.