One prevailing and disastrous response to Western imperialism, from the point of view of the dynastic rule, was the adoption of Western ideas. This gave the people the idea that the way of life and governmental rule could change. In document K, the author, a Confucian scholar, explicitly endorses the Western way of living, starting with the military technology. He then endorses, in Document L, that other technology, such as mechanics and chemistry, are extremely important and should be available to the Chinese people. The Chinese dynasty was unable to cope with the Western influence, both ideologically and materially speaking, to the Chinese way of life. Scholars and revolutionaries alike were extremely influenced by Westerners. In Document P, Kan Youwei explained how the Chinese were unable to change from old traditional way of life toward a Westernized future. The Chinese government tried, especially with the hundred days of reform, but this was not enough to quell the desire of the people for change. Not only did the government displease pro-republican radicals, but also angered traditionalists, such as the Boxers. In total, the Qing Dynasty was unable to cope with the momentous change occurring and China, and as such, lost power to a republican government (as seen in Document S).
The Chinese recognized that they needed the help of the British to move forward into the future. At the same time they had a dislike for the British due to past events. Due to this dichotomy the Chinese view ended up being unsuccessful. The Chinese needed the help of the British to move forward but did not really like the British or the change that they were presenting. The Chinese spoke of revolution and republican government, and realized they needed this, but due to the view of dislike that the people of China took on the British they were unable to move forward.
China attempted to reform their society, by adapting western ideas in order to catch up and surpass the modern powers. They believed that they needed to modernize and industrialize in order to overcome the power of the exploitive western powers. However, they were still unable to completely westernize, and the weakness of their military allowed them to continue to be exploited by the western powers. Ultimately, the combined burden of imperialism and desire to reform caused the Qing dynasty to be overthrown.
Jeremy to what extent do you think other revolutions and drastic change within countries worldwide affected China's common view that "new is strong and old is weak"?
The Chinese accepted the foreign imperialism. They felt it was necessary for them to adopt imperialistic ideas in order to advance as a civilization, and to overthrow the regime. Kang Youwie stated, "States that undertook reforms became strong while those states clung to the past perished" (Document P). The Chinese began to use Western "[b]ooks on mathematics, mechanics, optics, light, chemistry, and others" (Document L) to understand these fields in a new way. The Chinese recognized that using the knowledge found by Westerners could eventually be used to surpass them (Document L).
Following the Opium War, the Chinese realized that, "there are many intelligent people in China. Surely are some who, having learned from the barbarians, can surpass them" (Document L). The Chinese comprehended that they were stuck in the pass, but needed to move toward the present. Yan Fu wrote, "I think the greatest difference between China and the West which can never be made up, is that the Chinese are fond of antiquity but neglect the present" (Document M). As time progressed it became evident that the Chinese were divided into traditionalists and revolutionists, and consequently could not progress.
The Chinese were split, as some felt they should adopt Western ways, and others were very much opposed. Guifen stated that China should borrow the ideas from the British, recognizing the advancement and industrialization of the West, and wanting it for China. However he still voiced the pride of China, in not wanting help despite the obvious backwardness of China in comparison to Britain (especially in military wise). After being defeated by France and Japan, China's pride was wounded. Soon the government realized the need for reformation, but met opposition from nationalists and conservative people of China. Some scholars agreed with the need to industrialize and get help from the West, appealing to the people using Confucius ideas. Lizzy and Emily
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ReplyDeleteOne prevailing and disastrous response to Western imperialism, from the point of view of the dynastic rule, was the adoption of Western ideas. This gave the people the idea that the way of life and governmental rule could change. In document K, the author, a Confucian scholar, explicitly endorses the Western way of living, starting with the military technology. He then endorses, in Document L, that other technology, such as mechanics and chemistry, are extremely important and should be available to the Chinese people. The Chinese dynasty was unable to cope with the Western influence, both ideologically and materially speaking, to the Chinese way of life. Scholars and revolutionaries alike were extremely influenced by Westerners. In Document P, Kan Youwei explained how the Chinese were unable to change from old traditional way of life toward a Westernized future. The Chinese government tried, especially with the hundred days of reform, but this was not enough to quell the desire of the people for change. Not only did the government displease pro-republican radicals, but also angered traditionalists, such as the Boxers. In total, the Qing Dynasty was unable to cope with the momentous change occurring and China, and as such, lost power to a republican government (as seen in Document S).
ReplyDeleteThe Chinese recognized that they needed the help of the British to move forward into the future. At the same time they had a dislike for the British due to past events. Due to this dichotomy the Chinese view ended up being unsuccessful. The Chinese needed the help of the British to move forward but did not really like the British or the change that they were presenting. The Chinese spoke of revolution and republican government, and realized they needed this, but due to the view of dislike that the people of China took on the British they were unable to move forward.
ReplyDeleteChina attempted to reform their society, by adapting western ideas in order to catch up and surpass the modern powers. They believed that they needed to modernize and industrialize in order to overcome the power of the exploitive western powers. However, they were still unable to completely westernize, and the weakness of their military allowed them to continue to be exploited by the western powers. Ultimately, the combined burden of imperialism and desire to reform caused the Qing dynasty to be overthrown.
ReplyDeleteJeremy to what extent do you think other revolutions and drastic change within countries worldwide affected China's common view that "new is strong and old is weak"?
ReplyDeleteThe Chinese accepted the foreign imperialism. They felt it was necessary for them to adopt imperialistic ideas in order to advance as a civilization, and to overthrow the regime. Kang Youwie stated, "States that undertook reforms became strong while those states clung to the past perished" (Document P). The Chinese began to use Western "[b]ooks on mathematics, mechanics, optics, light, chemistry, and others" (Document L) to understand these fields in a new way. The Chinese recognized that using the knowledge found by Westerners could eventually be used to surpass them (Document L).
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteFollowing the Opium War, the Chinese realized that, "there are many intelligent people in China. Surely are some who, having learned from the barbarians, can surpass them" (Document L). The Chinese comprehended that they were stuck in the pass, but needed to move toward the present. Yan Fu wrote, "I think the greatest difference between China and the West which can never be made up, is that the Chinese are fond of antiquity but neglect the present" (Document M). As time progressed it became evident that the Chinese were divided into traditionalists and revolutionists, and consequently could not progress.
ReplyDeleteClaudia and Leah
The Chinese were split, as some felt they should adopt Western ways, and others were very much opposed. Guifen stated that China should borrow the ideas from the British, recognizing the advancement and industrialization of the West, and wanting it for China. However he still voiced the pride of China, in not wanting help despite the obvious backwardness of China in comparison to Britain (especially in military wise). After being defeated by France and Japan, China's pride was wounded. Soon the government realized the need for reformation, but met opposition from nationalists and conservative people of China. Some scholars agreed with the need to industrialize and get help from the West, appealing to the people using Confucius ideas.
ReplyDeleteLizzy and Emily