In the long history of modern China, the Westernization Movement in the late Qing Dynasty was like a pearl in the stormy waves, shining with a unique light. From the outbreak of the First Opium War in 1840,The eyes of the Western powers on the Qing Dynasty were like eagle eyes staring at their preySharp and persistent. The Qing Dynasty fell into an unprecedented disaster, and the feudal rule of more than 2,000 years faced the impact of the capitalist economy and the industrial revolution, like an ancient large wooden ship struggling to move forward in the turbulent sea.
In order to save this ancient ship, the late Qing Dynasty embarked on a self-rescue campaignThat is, the famous Westernization Movement. From the 60s of the 19th century to the 90s of the 19th century, this movement used the slogans of "self-improvement" and "peace" to try to improve the strength of the Qing army and achieve the salvation of the country by introducing Western science and technology and military equipment.
In terms of the economic structure of the country,The Westernization Movement promoted the reform of the country's ruling class. Through the power held by the first person, the establishment of military industry and some civilian enterprises objectively promoted the development of China's early industry and national capitalism. In 1861, the Anqingnei Ordnance Institute, founded by Zeng Guofan, became China's first official new arsenal and built China's first steamship. The Jiangnan Machinery Manufacturing Bureau was one of the earliest modern factories in modern China, and the Hanyang Iron and Steel Plant was seen by the West as a symbol of China's awakening.
Through the introduction of science and technology, the Westernization Movement brought significant military advantages to the Qing Dynasty. Among them,The Beiyang Fleet is the most remarkable force. Founded by Li Hongzhang, the minister of Beiyang in the Qing Dynasty, the Beiyang Fleet rose in a short period of time and became the first in Asia.
1. The world's sixth-largest modern navy fleet. In the Battle of the Yellow Sea in 1894, due to a series of reasons, the Beiyang Fleet was finally destroyed, which became a low point for China's modern navy.
In addition, the Westernization Movement also left a profound impact in the field of education. The establishment of a new type of schoolThe dispatch of government-sent students and the translation of Western books brought new knowledge to China at that time. The establishment of new schools such as the Jingshi Tongwen Museum, the Shanghai Cantonese Dialect Museum, the Fuzhou Shipbuilding School, and the Beiyang Telegraph School became the earliest new educational institutions in modern China, opening a new era of knowledge.
In terms of social atmosphere, the Westernization Movement broke the traditional concepts of "emphasizing agriculture and suppressing business" and "emphasizing righteousness over profit", and introduced the impact of the capitalist economy. The original feudal agricultural social and economic system has undergone great changes with the invasion of the capitalist wave, the commercial status has risen, and the social values have gradually changed. Under the double impact of capitalist economic ideology and patriotic moral ideology, national capitalism has risen rapidly, and industrial salvation has become a way for people with lofty ideals to serve the country.
On the whole, the Westernization Movement in the late Qing Dynasty had a profound impact on many fields such as politics, economy, military and society. Despite the ups and downs of the Westernization movement,But its efforts laid the groundwork for China's march toward modernization. We should also not ignore the various problems and challenges that exist in it, and these problems have become a part of China's modern history that is worth pondering.
At this point, we can't help but ask: the Westernization Movement brought the dawn of modernization to China, but where did it lose its direction? Is its failure just a matter of historical frustration, or is there a deeper reason behind it? Perhaps,It is through the in-depth study of this historyOnly then can we better understand the predicament that China was facing at that time, so that we can better grasp the direction of contemporary development.
Please share your thoughts. Do you have a different opinion about the Westernization movement? Or do you have your own views on other aspects of modern Chinese history? Leave your comments and share your views with us. Like and follow, let's take a look at the wonderful history of China, review the past and look forward to the future.
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