The document summarizes two proclamations from the Boxers in 1898 and 1900. In the 1898 proclamation, the Boxers complained about foreign missionaries ("Foreign Devils") and their conversion of Chinese to Christianity. They blamed the missionaries for China's hard times. The 1900 proclamation ordered the death of any Christian converts or those who hid them. Chinese citizens were likely afraid of these proclamations as they threatened punishment and blamed their religion for China's problems.

1. Sandra Cash
Mailbox 108
In the Boxers’ 1898 Proclamation, the Boxers are mostly complaining about the “Foreign
Devils,” and their religion. They go on to say that the hard times that China is suffering is
because of the “Foreign Devils,” which leads to their 1900 Proclamation. In the 1900
Proclamation, Boxers then explain that the punishment for being a Christian convert or
hiding one is death. I imagine Chinese citizens would be afraid of these proclamations.
The Boxers complain that the “Foreign Devils,” have angered their gods by converting
Chinese into Christians; making Chinese leave their gods and forget the ancestors. Due to
this, they say that the gods are angry with the Chinese, to the point that they do not let it
rain. The Boxers also say that because of the “Foreign Devils,” women commit adultery
and men violate the human obligations.
After this in the Boxers’ 1900 Proclamation, they decide in order to appease the gods;
they will have to kill every Christian convert and burn down the churches. Even if the
Chinese citizens were not Christian converts, I imagine they would be afraid because they
would believe that they angered their gods, and are causing China’s problems.
The Boxers’ complaints are that foreigners were allowed into their country, and have
influenced their culture, turning them away from their old ways and gods. The Boxers
then blame their country’s problems on this and order all Christians and their churches to
be burned. I imagine that Chinese citizens were afraid of these proclamations: for even if
the Chinese citizens were not Christians who were condemned, they would also feel
guilty for offending their gods.