Digital museum showcasing the collection of worldwide legends over the years! 千古不朽博物館展示多年來收藏的世界傳奇故事!
Eight-Nation Alliance
Bronze Medal for The China Campaign 1900-1901
and Other Medal Set
(Miniature)
八國聯軍
銅質1900-1901中國行動獎章
和其他獎章組 (迷你版)
Item number: M185
Year: AD 1896-1918
Material: Bronze
Size: 18.6 x 15.9 x 1.3 mm
Weight: 40.85 g
Provenance: Private Collector, USA, 2024
This is a set of eight miniature medals, arranged from left to right, including: the 4th Class Order of St. George, Medal in Memory of Alexander III, Nicholas II Coronation Medal, Bronze Medal for the China Campaign 1900-1901, Medal for the Russo-Japanese War, First Kuban Campaign Badge (White Army), Commemorative Medal for the 300th Anniversary of the Reign of the Romanov Dynasty, and the 1914 Mobilisation Medal. These decorations span from the late 19th century to the early 20th century, marking significant historical moments during the collapse of the Russian Empire, including the Boxer Rebellion, the Russo-Japanese War, World War I, and the Russian Civil War.
The fourth medal from the left is the miniature version of the “Medal for the China Campaign 1900-1901,” which was issued by the Russian government on May 6, AD 1901, according to Decree No. 140. It was awarded to Russian officers and soldiers who participated in the actions of the Eight-Nation Alliance and came in two grades: silver and bronze. The medals were primarily produced by the Saint Petersburg Mint, although some were privately commissioned by officers and soldiers from civilian workshops.
This bronze medal was awarded to Russian Army and Navy units stationed in China, such as those in the Hankou Concession and at the Russian embassy, who were responsible for security duties but did not directly participate in the actions of the Eight-Nation Alliance. The medal is worn with a chest ribbon and has a circular design. The ribbon features light blue and alternating red and black stripes.
The obverse of the medal features the monogram “H” for Tsar Nicholas II, topped with the Tsar’s crown and with the Roman numeral “II” below. The reverse of the medal prominently displays the years “1900-1901” in the centre, indicating the period of the military campaign. Below this, there are crossed swords and an anchor, symbolising the army and navy. Surrounding the central design is the Cyrillic inscription “за походъ въ китай,” which translates directly to “For the Campaign in China.”
In AD 1900, the Russian military was the second-largest force in the Eight-Nation Alliance, mobilising approximately 4,800 troops. In addition to joint operations with the Alliance in Tianjin, Dagu, and Beijing, Russia, long coveting Manchuria, launched its own separate military actions. Starting in July AD 1900, under the pretext of “protecting the railway,” Russia deployed a large force of 15,000 troops to invade Manchuria. During this invasion, the Russian forces perpetrated massacres against the Chinese population in regions such as the Sixty-Four Villages East of the River and Blagoveshchensk.
After the conclusion of the Allied operations in Beijing, the Russian troops stationed in Manchuria were reluctant to withdraw, with intentions of annexing the region to create a new “Yellow Russia.” After several negotiations with the Qing government, Russia was granted the right to station troops along the railway lines and obtained related economic privileges, thus abandoning their immediate plans to annex Manchuria. However, Russia’s ambitions in Manchuria clashed with those of Japan, a rising power seeking to expand from Korea into China. This conflict of interests ultimately led to the Russo-Japanese War in AD 1904, a struggle for dominance over Manchuria that sounded the death knell for the Russian Empire.