5. De zelfversterkingsbeweging (vwo HC China 1842-2001)

Summary

The video discusses the Self-Strengthening Movement in China during the late 19th century, aimed at modernizing and strengthening the nation using Western and Japanese models. Despite efforts to modernize the military, industry, and railways, the movement faced significant resistance from conservative forces, leading to limited success. Corruption and inadequate investment further hindered progress. The failure of the Chinese fleet in the First Sino-Japanese War highlighted the shortcomings of these reforms. Attempts to modernize the government, including abolishing the civil service exams, were also met with resistance, especially from conservative figures like Empress Dowager Cixi.

Takeaways

• 📜 The video focuses on Chinese reformers and their efforts in the second half of the 19th century to modernize China.
• 🏛️ One key movement discussed is the Self-Strengthening Movement, which aimed to make China strong using modern technology.
• ⚙️ The reformers wanted to maintain Confucian values but also modernize based on Western and Japanese models.
• 🚂 Japan had already embraced industrialization and built a strong military by the late 19th century, which inspired the Chinese reformers.
• 👥 A conservative faction within China opposed modernization, fearing it would disrupt traditional values, such as the spiritual rest of ancestors.
• 💰 There was insufficient investment in modernizing the military and infrastructure, partly due to corruption and mismanagement.
• ⚔️ Despite some military reforms, the Chinese fleet was too weak to defeat Japan in the First Sino-Japanese War, leading to a major defeat.
• 🏯 Funds that were supposed to modernize the navy were diverted to projects like the restoration of the Summer Palace, highlighting corruption.
• 📖 There were also attempts to modernize China’s bureaucratic system by abolishing traditional civil service exams, which were often corrupt.
• 👑 Empress Dowager Cixi, a conservative figure, resisted many modernization efforts, supporting traditional values and opposing reforms.

Q & A

What was the Self-Strengthening Movement in China?

The Self-Strengthening Movement was a reform initiative in the late 19th century aimed at making China stronger through modernization, particularly by adopting Western technology while preserving Confucian values.

Who led the Self-Strengthening Movement?

The movement was led by the highest circles of the Chinese government, who aimed to modernize China, particularly its military and industrial sectors.

What were the main goals of the Self-Strengthening Movement?

The main goals were to modernize China's industry, railways, military, and navy, so that China could compete with Western powers and Japan.

Why did Japan become a model for Chinese modernization during the Self-Strengthening Movement?

Japan was seen as a model because it had embraced Western industrialization earlier and had successfully built a strong military and economy, making it a powerful regional force.

What were the key obstacles faced by the Self-Strengthening Movement?

The movement faced strong opposition from conservative factions within China, who resisted change and believed that modernization would disrupt traditional values and society.

Why did the construction of railways face resistance in China during this time?

Conservatives believed that the straight lines of railways and the noise of steam trains would disturb the spirits of the ancestors, which was a deeply rooted cultural concern.

What role did corruption play in the failure of the Self-Strengthening Movement?

Corruption diverted funds from critical modernization projects, such as the navy, towards personal or symbolic projects like restoring the Summer Palace, weakening the movement's effectiveness.

How did the war with Japan in the 1890s impact the Self-Strengthening Movement?

China's defeat in the First Sino-Japanese War revealed the inadequacy of its modernization efforts, as Japan's modernized military easily defeated China, highlighting the failures of the Self-Strengthening Movement.

What reforms were attempted at the imperial court in response to the movement's failure?

Reforms included efforts to abolish the old civil service examination system, which had become corrupted, and proposals to draft a constitution based on Western models.

Who represented the conservative opposition at the imperial court?

Empress Dowager Cixi, the wife of the emperor, represented the conservative opposition. She was strongly against the modernization initiatives proposed by the reformers at court.