During the century, the regime had had to deal with the risings of its own peoples: the Boxer Insurrection or the Yihetuan Movement was an anti-foreign, anti-colonial, and anti-Christian uprising in China between 1899 and 1901. She had had to be helped by the British in putting down the Boxer Insurrection. All the old colonial regimes took their turn at invasion. All the new up and coming colonial regimes, the USA, Japan, Italy, and Germany all invaded China during the 19th century. By the end of the century, the Empress’s silver reserves were empty, and she retreated with her entourage into inner China for safety.

The dollar system for trade works well enough for the Western countries. But for any country which the USA disapproves of, she imposes 'sanctions' and that limits the availability of dollars for trade. Cuba has been sanctioned for decades by the USA. Today there are now many new examples: Russia, Venezuela, North Korea, Iran, and Syria are perhaps the main sanctioned countries. Domestic banks across Europe are forced to demand that their customers conform to US foreign policy.

There are now movements to combat these hindrances. China has for some years wanted to use her currency, the renminbi, for world trade. China has already begun to avoid the dollar system, which regularly infuriates the leaders in Washington.