Many foreign powers have ravaged China in search of wealth, brutally destroying the land and violently fighting the population. After much devastation, the dynasty was "forced" to acquiesce to the foreign powers (only after they assured Cixi that its position and power would be maintained). The results of these negotiations were called the Boxer Protocol – later considered one of the “Unequal Treaties”. Among the stipulations of the Boxer Protocol, China would have to pay a huge sum, as compensation, to around 14 countries (in different proportions). Additionally, foreign powers were granted the right to seize and inhabit certain places in China. Additionally, they had to issue formal apologies to foreign powers. These apologies were particularly painful for the Chinese, who believed they held the greatest power – and might even have considered themselves divine. It was a blow to their ego and reputation. They also had to suspend violence against foreigners (and those who didn't would be punished). Empress Cixi initiated some of the other reforms after the Protocol, including the abolition of examinations. “Ironically, Cixi sponsored the implementation of a more radical reform program than that proposed by the reformers she had beheaded in 1898” (including the reforms created by her arrested nephew). She had so much power that no one disputed it