Cao Futian

曹福田, Cao Futian
Depiction of Cao Futian on horseback
Born 19th century
Jinghai Town, Qing dynasty
Died 1901
Jinghai Town, Qing dynasty
Allegiance Yìhéquán
Memorials Memorial Hall of the Boxer Uprising

Cao Futian (simplified Chinese: 曹福田) was a Chinese nationalist and leader of the Boxers during the Boxer Uprising.

Biography

Not much is known of the origins and early life of Cao Futian.

Cao was born during the 19th century, in Jinghai, Zhili province, China.[1]

Before the uprising, Cao had been a soldier,[2] considered a bandit "known for his brutality" by some sources.[3] He raised a militia in Tianjin, formed in its' majority by illiterate people such as laid-off railway workers, Chinese religious fanatics, criminals and unemployed youth. He was a master of Kung Fu and a charismatic leader. Cao hated foreigners because of the establishment of the foreign concessions, but even more because of the spread of Christianity by missionaries.[3] He thought Chinese Christians should be expelled for tainting the purity of the Chinese culture.[3] First hostile to the Chinese Imperial Army, he fought them in August 1899.[4] The Qing government was divided towards how to react to the Boxers activities, but conservatives element of the court were in favour of them. Prince Duan, a fervent supporter of the cause, arranged a meeting between Cao and Empress Dowager Ci Xi.[5] At the meeting, the crown prince even wore a Boxer uniform to show alliance.[6]

In 1900, he set his headquarters at 18 Hejia Lane, Ruyyi'an Street of Hongqiao District, at an old temple venerating Lü Dongbin, which is now the Boxer Museum, Memorial Hall of the Boxer Uprising (Lu Zu Tang).[7]

On July 14, 1900, Tianjin was captured by the Allied forces of the Eight-Nation Alliance after a three-day battle. Cao Futian, who was present, had to flee to Jinghai. In May 1901, he was captured by the government.[8]

Cao Futian was also a spiritual leader for the Boxers, and many believed he had divine abilities. Along with Zhang Decheng, another Boxer leader, he was said to be able to make himself disappear, and had the power to be in two different places at once.[9]

Cao was executed in 1901 following his arrest in Jinghai for conspiring to stir up conflict. He was beheaded.[10][1]

References

  1. 1 2 "什么是 曹福田 意思详解 - 淘大白". www.taodabai.com (in cn). Retrieved 2017-12-03.
  2. ↑ Chesneaux, Jean; Bastid, Marianne; Bergère, Marie-Claire (1976-12-01). China from the opium wars to the 1911 revolution. Pantheon Books. p. 330.
  3. 1 2 3 "The Boxer Rebellion" (PDF). wumunc.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-11-15.
  4. ↑ "Poings de la justice et de la concorde". Wikipédia (in French). 2017-02-07.
  5. ↑ "Chinese Monarchs - Zaiyi (26 August 1856 – 24 November 1922) was a Manchu prince and statesman of the late Qing Dynasty". www.nouahsark.com. Retrieved 2017-08-31.
  6. ↑ Lucia. "China's Confession: Episode 4". www.chinasoul.org. Retrieved 2017-08-31.
  7. ↑ "Tianjin Travel Guide, Tianjin Tour, Tianjin Hotel, Tianjin weather - Chinaonyourmind.com". www.chinaonyourmind.com. Retrieved 2017-08-31.
  8. ↑ "义和团领袖曹福田简介 曹福田的故事-历史趣闻网". www.lishiquwen.com. Retrieved 2017-12-03.
  9. ↑ state4 (2010-07-26). "Monograph powerpoint".
  10. ↑ "became the object of hatred. - www.winxp.fora.pl". www.winxp.fora.pl. Retrieved 2017-08-31.
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