6.1 Objectives and key figures of the Hundred Days' Reform

The Hundred Days' Reform of 1898 was a bold attempt to modernize China's political, economic, and educational systems. Spearheaded by Emperor Guangxu and reformers like Kang Youwei, it aimed to strengthen China against foreign powers and internal decay.

Though short-lived, the reform movement introduced crucial ideas that shaped China's future. It highlighted the need for modernization, sparked intellectual debates, and laid groundwork for later reforms, despite facing fierce opposition from conservative factions led by Empress Dowager Cixi.

The Hundred Days' Reform: Objectives and Key Figures

Objectives of Hundred Days' Reform

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• Modernize China's political system
  • Establish a constitutional monarchy limiting the emperor's power and ensuring rule of law
  • Implement a cabinet system with a prime minister responsible for daily governance
  • Reform the examination system for government officials to emphasize practical skills and Western knowledge
• Strengthen China's economy
  • Encourage the development of private industry and commerce (textiles, mining)
  • Promote the construction of railways and other infrastructure to facilitate trade and transportation
  • Establish a modern banking system to provide capital for industrial development
• Reform China's education system
  • Introduce Western learning and sciences (mathematics, physics, engineering) into the curriculum
  • Establish modern schools and universities based on Western models
  • Send students abroad (Japan, Europe, United States) for advanced studies in various fields
• Modernize China's military
  • Adopt Western military technologies and tactics (firearms, artillery, naval vessels)
  • Improve military training and organization to create a professional and disciplined force
  • Establish a modern navy capable of defending China's coastline and maritime interests

Key figures in reform movement

• Kang Youwei
  • Leading intellectual and political activist behind the reform movement
  • Presented comprehensive reform proposals to the Guangxu Emperor outlining the need for modernization
  • Served as a key advisor to the emperor during the Hundred Days providing guidance on policy implementation
• Liang Qichao
  • Kang Youwei's student and a prominent journalist advocating for political and social reforms
  • Advocated for reform through his writings and publications in newspapers and journals
  • Helped spread reform ideas among the educated elite gaining support for the movement
• The Guangxu Emperor
  • Reigning emperor of the Qing dynasty during the reform period (1898)
  • Supported and implemented the reform policies proposed by Kang Youwei and other reformers
  • Issued a series of edicts to initiate the Hundred Days' Reform demonstrating his commitment to modernization

Context of Hundred Days' Reform

• China's defeat in the First Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895)
  • Exposed China's weakness and the need for modernization to compete with foreign powers
  • Led to calls for reform among intellectuals and officials who recognized the urgency of the situation
• The influence of Western ideas and technologies
  • Reformers were inspired by Western political and economic models (constitutional monarchy, industrialization)
  • Believed that adopting Western learning was crucial for China's survival in the modern world
• The rise of a new generation of reform-minded intellectuals
  • Scholars such as Kang Youwei and Liang Qichao advocated for change through their writings and teachings
  • Formed study societies and published journals to spread reform ideas among the educated elite

Outcomes of reform movement

• Successes
  • Raised awareness of the need for modernization and reform among the Chinese elite and general population
  • Introduced new ideas and policies that laid the foundation for future changes (education reform, industrial development)
  • Encouraged the spread of Western learning and technologies (translations of Western books, establishment of modern schools)
• Failures
  • Many reform policies were not fully implemented due to resistance from conservative officials and the Empress Dowager Cixi
  • The reform movement was abruptly ended by the coup of Empress Dowager Cixi who saw the reforms as a threat to her power
  • The failure of the reforms contributed to the further weakening of the Qing dynasty and its eventual downfall in 1911
• Long-term impact
  • Although the Hundred Days' Reform was short-lived, it inspired future generations of reformers and revolutionaries (Sun Yat-sen, Chiang Kai-shek)
  • The ideas and policies introduced during the reform period continued to influence China's modernization efforts in the early 20th century (New Culture Movement, May Fourth Movement)