Self-Strengthening Movement and Hundred Days Reforms - Term Paper Example

Modern Chinese Similarities and differences between Self-strengthening movement and Hundred Days Reforms After China was defeated in many wars, leaders and scholars identified two defeated reforms in aid to drive out the power. The main purpose of these reforms was to maintain the Manzhu rules and to counteract against further foreign aggression. Self-Strengthening Movement Reforms was initiated after China was defeated in the first and second Anglo-Chinese wars. The officials noted that the best strategy to drive the powers out is to have several reforms, aid to improve the strength and competence by the Chinese on western knowledge. The movement was organized and led to the development of western techniques and military technology in China. However, scholars and official argued that for real strengthening to be realized in China, the country should develop basic western institution, including the western government organization and education. The reforms give rise to techniques and military technologies. On the other hand, another reform movement was initiated on 1898 after china was defeated in the Sino-Japanese war. Self-strengthening movement and Hundred Day’s Reforms have some common similarities and differences based on the objectives, achievements and targets. Both reforms advocated for introduction of western education to be introduced in China. Self-Strengthening Movement was more successful because they had foreign language schools, which led to turning foreign languages to Chinese. The reforms enabled Chinese to read and understand foreign languages and there was introduction of education missions, which included navigation and study shipbuilding. Approximately, 120 Chinese were sent abroad between 1872 to 1881. Although the Hundred Days Reforms emphasized on education, the conservative officials banned it. However, the reformers abolished the conservative officials and turned the content of the examination from classical knowledge of current affairs. Education gave a mixture of both Eastern and western studies. Just like the Self-Strengthening reforms, Hundred Days Reforms encourage members of the royalty to go abroad on learning trips. The old eight-legged essays were eliminated and students were to take classes on politics, current affairs and Chinese classical volumes. The self-Strengthening Movement was more successful in developing a relationship with the foreign powers. In this perspective, it led to the construction of the Zongli Yamen in Beijing with the objective of managing the affairs with powers. This reform was a tremendous step for China in embracing diplomatic relationship with foreign powers. In an attempt to understand and integrate foreign powers, China sent out missions to other countries and powers. The reforms helped China to suppress the Taiping movement and demonstrated a harmonious relationship with powers. Despite the fact that Hundred Days Reforms advocated for reforms in terms of developing a relationship with foreign powers, it did not have any reform on diplomacy. The reforms advocated for control of the government, but the self-strengthening reforms bared more success compared to Hundred Days Reforms. Although the Taipings attempt to overthrow the government, the Self-Strengthening Movement suppressed them. It was created because of the Tongzhi restoration. The reforms raised the prestige of the government at that time. Chinese legations were set up in abroad, such as set up in London in 1877. The reforms encouraged the translation of international laws to enhance understanding of a large number of Chinese. Primarily, the Hundred Days Reforms objected to short term changes and hence carried out reforms in short time. The reforms formulated forty-four orders for only 100 days. The self-Strengthening Reforms generated more successes in developing military power. In an attempt to strengthen military power, a lot of reforms and factories were developed. It resulted in introduction of warship, guns and other weapons from foreign countries. The Self-Strengthening Movement reforms built up some military and naval school in Nanjing and Tianjin and shipyards academics at Lushun and Fuzhou. The government sent out Chinese student to Germany and Britain for military training. On the other hand, Hundred Days Reforms did not have much military reforms. To this end, the reform focused on the modernization and reorganization of the army. Militia forces were founded and recruited part-time soldiers for local self-defense. The reforms aid to completely westernized the military training and the expenditure of military expenses were cut and guns and cannons replaced the skills in using arrows and bows. The reforms aid at increasing the accessibility and increase communication in china. This therefore led to creation of reforms with the motive of developing transport infrastructures and communication networks. The Self-Strengthening Reforms built up railways and other infrastructural developments of ports such as coastal shipping, postal services and lighthouses. The government increased communication by developing telegraph lines between Shanghai and Dagu-Tianjin. This improved communication among Chinese. However, Hundred Days Reform did not incorporate such reforms. Although distinctively, both reforms promoted economic reforms which aid to endorse the economic activities in the country. However, the reforms contrasted in terms of the features adopted and efforts employed to encourage economic growth. Self-Strengthening reforms promoted economic reforms through trade and industries. As a result, industrial enterprises were encouraged and were either government operated or were under official supervision and merchant management. In attempt to increase and facilitate communication system in China, China Merchants’ Steam Navigation Company was established. The appointment of superintendent of trade, Chinese exhibition abroad and imperial Maritime Custom Services were some of the Self-Strengthening Reforms that bared some success in modernizing the empire. On the other hand, Hundred Days Reforms people were encouraged to set up their own businesses. In addition, foreign agricultural books were translated to Chinese and modern bureaus for field of study, including commerce, railroad and agriculture were set up. The reforms encourage private enterprise. On the other hand, royal army was ordered to engage in commerce to make their living. Preparation of government budget and encouragement of inventions are among other economic reforms supported by Hundred Days Reforms. However, Self-Strengthening and Hundred Days Reforms eventually failed mainly due to conservative opposition. Farmers, scholars, Cixi and officials opposed the two reforms due to fear of the impending negative implications that they anticipated could result from the reforms. According to conservatives, the Hundred Days Reforms attacked Chinese traditions and culture as well as the self-interests of many people. On the other hand, both reforms were faced with corruption challenges mainly in the government and were executed by the officials. Under the Hundred Days Reforms, the attack on corruption was unwelcome by the government officials who acquired their riches through unlawful dealings. Failure of Self-Strengthening reforms was accelerated by embezzlement of funds by the officials therefore with insufficient funds; the reforms were doomed to fail. Confucianism core values The Manchu identity recognized and appreciated the heart of Chinese social, political and cultural system. The development of the system attempted to attract and bring skilled and competent men in the government positions. This allows governing of the empire be conducted through wisdom and virtues. Men who seek to offer their services in government positions undertook the examination (Schoppa 26). Confucianism forms the foundation of the Han Chinese cultural system and emphasize on the teaching of Confucius and his key follower, Mencius. The principle goal of this teaching is to attract wise and virtuous men who could transform the society and politics. On the other hand, the Confucianism objective was to attract motivated men who could rule the state through high principles, empathy with people and incorporate a reflective sense of morality. Confucianism demonstrates various virtues essential to the tradition and culture of China. An important core value of Confucianism is altruism, which implies that all men are good nature at birth. On the other hand, the altruism refers to sacrifice oneself for others, mainly for the sake of progress. Altruism is a ritual that explains that one should not do the actions, particularly if she expected others not to do them to her. In addition, Confucianism emphasizes on etiquette. The core value demonstrates a set of rituals that one must integrate into life to create a healthy and content society. Righteousness outline set of morals that implore one to perform some task for the benefits of others as well as justice. To this end, a ruler must always be just and demonstrate the above core values to truly be called the king and to keep the kingdom thriving. Other core values demonstrated include filial piety, bravery, forgiveness, knowledge and integrity. According to Confucianism, human nature is essentially good and perfect. The Confucianism doctrine does not believe in the exposure to extreme statism or rites. In this perspective, state and individuals control human activities. The stronghold of Confucianism is based on the dedication of metaphysics and an unorthodox principle of critical and radical thinking. According to Confucius beliefs, people led by the administrative injunction tend to develop a sense of self worth (Schoppa 30). The core competence of this teaching is derived from the fact that with the right leadership, individuals can conduct themselves harmoniously. The philosophy isolates ritualism from legalism within the realm of individual accountability. According to Confucius, education was important in developing sage that could rule the country. In this perspective, Chinese family with strong intellectual abilities was encouraged to hire a tutor who could oversee the son in preparation for the examination. Success in all examinations administered by earns the son degrees, which brought economic, legal and social privileges. The examination system of governance of Chinese requires the potential candidate be trained in the same body of norms, rules and principle, which provided a common base of learning with a clear understanding of standard for strategies and ruling for governance (Schoppa 32). In Confucius worldview, all rituals conducted by the state, community or family have a sense of hierarchy and order. A crucial principle by the Manchu rulers, they adopted Ming state rituals thereby assert their legitimacy by associating themselves with the former legitimate imperial state. In fact, there were more than 256 state rituals in the Qing period. The Qing emperors were explicitly committed to the values of filial piety. In this perspective, the Qing erected their ancestral tablets for making sacrifices by the state and their familial tablets (Schoppa 33). The Qing emperors perception of ruling the empire with filial piety and exemplifies these principles for their ministers and their people and for their descendants clearly exemplifies the Confucius concept. Works Cited Schoppa, Robert K. The Columbia Guide to Modern Chinese History. New York, NY: Columbia University Press, 2000. Print. Read More