3. Self Strengthening Reforms?

What were the self strengthening reforms?

• Introduced by Empress Dowager Cixi in 1902, they were meant to ensure the Qing Dynasty’s survival

• it was inspired by the 1860s self strengthening movement, learning from foreigners to copy their applications of science and technology in order to exploit China’s resources for the benefit of her own people

How was the practice of abolishing foot binding intended to strengthen China and strengthen Cixi’s dynasty?

• Strengthens China as women have more movement, and so are able to work better (in some peasant families footbinding was still practiced, meaning the essentially disabled women would still be working the fields, not being able to get much done). It also leads to less resentment from women which prevents future potential uprising or discontent

• Strengthens Cixi as it gains her the support of women. She is a woman, and in a position of high power, but if she doesn’t do anything to help her fellow women they won’t back her. It also helps change the countries attitudes towards women which strengthens her as a female ruler

How was the Civil Service was reformed?

• removing the requirement to pass an examination to enter the civil service

• the existence of the examination had led to the domination of the civil service by the Mandarin class because they were the only group in society able to pay for the education needed to prepare for the examination

How was reforming the Civil Service intended to strengthen China and strengthen Cixi’s dynasty?

• Strengthened China as it led to more underprivileged people to be able to join the civil service, making them feel better and less likely to revolt + drawing from a wide range of talents meant that China would be getting more help out of their civil service + Less opportunity for corruption, strengthening China

• Strengthened Cixi as it led to more underprivileged people able to join the civil service, therefore meaning she would have their support. She had lost a lot of this support during the Boxer Uprising and by stopping the Hundred Days reform.

What is nationalisation?

A service is run and owned by the Chinese government

How was nationalising the railways intended to strengthen China and strengthen Cixi’s dynasty?

• Strengthens China as now more money is going to China and it gives the citizens something to look up to their government about. Also built national pride, which was good after the Boxer Rebellion

• Strengthens Cixi it gives her control over all commerce and transport around the country: can’t rerouted during times of crisis by an an enemy.

What were the new educational reforms?

• scholarships to study abroad and the establishment of a new naval and miliatary academies

How was a range of educational reforms and establishment of new military academies intended to strengthen China and strengthen Cixi’s dynasty?

• Strengthens China: More education is usually good for society, helping them improve as a people and helping the people feel empowered. It also helped them prepare for war

• Strengthens Cixi: Gave her a better military and a country that felt as though it was learning methods from the foreigners, but for their own benefit

What were the provincial assemblies?

• Provincial assemblies were created in 1909.  These small institutions were set up to bring together local men who could advise the government in Beijing on policy. A small number of wealthy men were allowed to elect those who sat in those assemblies. 

• 21 out of 22 Chinese provinces was given an assembly.  (Xinjiang was denied an assembly on the grounds that the number of literate people there was too low.) 

How were provincial assemblies intended to strengthen China and strengthen Cixi’s dynasty?

• Strengthens China as it gave local pepple more of a say in their own government

• Strengthens Cixi as she can now hear more from her districts/provinces

How was creating a new Chinese army intended to strengthen China and strengthen Cixi’s dynasty?

• Strengthens China: new army,can defend itself in necessary

• Strengthens Cixi: under manchu control, her people, strengthens her dynasty

What was the National Consultative Council?

In 1910-11, a National Consultative Council was established to advise the government in Beijing

How was the National Consultative Council intended to strengthen China and strengthen Cixi’s dynasty?

• Strengthens China: more pool of advice, better advice

• Strengthens Cixi: gave an impression of democracy so the people would feel placated + gave her something to blame if things went south