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The Boxer Rebellion was an uprising against foreigners and foreign influence in China at the turn of the twentieth century. A conservative, anti-foreign Chinese government won power in 1898 and encouraged the martial arts group Yihequan (“Righteous and Harmonious Fists”) to enroll in offical militia groups to attack foreigners. Through late 1899 and early 1900, the "Righteous and Harmonious Militia" were openly attacking Chinese Christians and Western missionaries. In June, the Empress Dowager ordered that all foreigners be killed, resulting in the murder of several foreign ministers and their families. By August 1900, foreign powers had captured Beijing in an effort to end the siege.