How significant was the New Culture Movement ( 新 文化运动 )? L/O – To assess the...
If you can't read please download the document
How significant was the New Culture Movement ( 新 文化运动 )? L/O – To assess the significance of the New Culture Movement to the development of China Hú Shih
How significant was the New Culture Movement ( )? L/O To assess
the significance of the New Culture Movement to the development of
China H Shih (1891-1962) Cai Yuan-pei (1876-1940) Chen Duxiu
(1879-1942)
Slide 2
What was the New Culture Movement? An intellectual revolution
that changed the way that Chinese culture saw itself. Its
proponents attempted to radically change the thought base of
society in order to successful modernise China. Its focus was on
introducing Western Thought by destroying Cultural Traditionalism
and Confucianism. Some have called it the most drastic social and
intellectual change in Chinese history, even a Chinese
Renaissance.
Slide 3
What was the New Culture Movement? Many historians like C.Y. Hs
(2000) view the New Culture Movement as the third stage of Chinas
response to Western Impact: Stage 1: Self-Strengthening Movement
(1861-1895) Superficial attempts at diplomatic and military
modernisation Stage 2: Reform and Revolution (1898-1912) Acceptance
of Western Political and Educational Institutions Stage 3:
Intellectual Awakening (1917-1923) A further shift away from
traditional Chinese base towards complete Westernisation
Slide 4
Who were the key intellectuals? Chen Duxiu (1879-1942) from
Anhwei, trained in Chinese classical studies, passed the Qing civil
service exam in 1896. Studied in Japan 1902-06 then moved to France
in 1907, becoming heavily influence by Western philosophy. He
returned home in 1910 and participated in the 1911 Revolution. Fled
to Japan after the second revolution in 1913. Returned in 1915 in
protest at the 21-Demands, founding the magazine New Youth. He
would later become the founding father of the Chinese Communist
Party.
Slide 5
Who were the key intellectuals? Cai Yuan-pei (1876-1940) from
Chekiang, won second & third degrees and member of the Hanlin
academy. Studied in Germany, returning home in 1911. Minister of
Education in Dr. Suns government, resigning when Yuan Shikai took
the Presidency. Went to Germany and France in 1912, returning in
1916 to take up the Chancellorship of the National University of
Peking, reforming the institution into an intellectual
powerhouse.
Slide 6
Who were the key intellectuals? H Shih (1891-1962) had a
classical training and studied in the USA from 1909, earning a BA
and PhD in Philosophy from Cornell and Columbia. Returned home in
1917 and was appointed as Professor of Literature at National
University of Peking by Cai Yuan-pei. H was heavily influenced by
the philosophy of pragmatism, scientific methods of thought and the
evolutionary improvement of society. Initiated the movement for the
vernacular use of Chinese (pai-hua) in literature.
Slide 7
What were the long-term causes? 1.Impact of Western Ideas
Chinese intellectuals had studied Nationalism, Democracy,
Liberalism, Socialism, Pragmatism and Scientific Methods in Western
countries all created a desire for reform. 2.New
Politically-Conscious Classes A rising merchant-entrepreneur class
had emerged since 1912 and the economic boom in China during the
First World War fostered their growing strength they were often
educated abroad, strongly nationalistic and benefited from
reforms.
Slide 8
What were the short-term causes? 3.Failure of the 1911
Revolution Yuan Shikais betrayal of republicanism, attempts at
re-instating the Monarchy and Confucian system and descent into
Warlordism angered intellectuals and progressives. 4.Japans
21-Demands Yuan Shikais humiliating acceptance of the 21-Demands in
1915 sparked fears of imminent extinction and an outburst of
nationalism - Students returned home to protest, merchants
organised boycotts of Japanese goods and a new culture movement was
started by a group of prominent intellectuals.
Slide 9
Events of the New Culture Movement The movement began as an
intellectual response to recent events in China. The 21- Demands of
1915 sparked an outpouring of anger and a desire to radically
reform China. From 1915, key intellectuals returned home and called
for a critical re-evaluation of Chinese culture and heritage the
Confucian system was seen as the primary factor blocking reforms.
They called for the complete introduction of Western thought and
ideas, which transformed the literary and intellectual personality
of China.
Slide 10
Chen Duxiu and New Youth Magazine Chen ( ) was first to return
home in 1915, founding the magazine New Youth ( ) in Shanghai. His
editorial aim was to rouse the youth of China to destroy old
traditions and achieve a national awakening. Chen was particularly
against Confucianism. He saw it as a product of an agrarian and
feudal society, at odds with the modern world. China had to destroy
it or the country would be eliminate by natural selection!
Slide 11
We indeed do not know which of our traditional institutions may
be fit for survival in the modern world. I would rather see the
ruin of our traditional national quintessence than have our race of
the present and future extinguished because of its unfitness for
survival The world continually progresses and will not stop. All
those who cannot change themselves and keep pace with it are unfit
for survival and will be eliminated by the process of natural
selection. Therefore, what is the good of conservatism? Chen Duxiu
in Chow, Tse-tsung. The May Fourth Movement: Intellectual
Revolution in Modern China. Cambridge, Mass, 1960, 46.
Slide 12
Chen Duxiu and New Youth Magazine He criticised Confucianism in
particular because it was seen as the root problem afflicting
Chinese culture: 1.It advocated superfluous ceremonies and preached
a morality of meek compliance. 2.It recognised the family and not
the individual as the basic unit of society. 3.It upheld the
inequality of the status of individuals. 4.Stressed filial piety
which made men subservient and dependent. 5.Preached an orthodoxy
of thought in total disregard to freedom of thought and
expression.
Slide 13
Chen Duxiu and New Youth Magazine Articles in the magazine were
written to oppose conservatism and traditionalism in China.
Instead, it asked the youth to choose fresh, vital elements from
all the civilisations of the world. Its guiding principles were:
1.To be independent and not servile 2.To be progressive and not
conservative 3.To be aggressive and not retrogressive 4.To be
cosmopolitan and not isolationist 5.To be utilitarian and not
impractical 6.To be scientific and not visionary
Slide 14
Chen Duxiu and New Youth Magazine The magazine was hugely
popular, influencing and guiding a new culture of intellectual
thought. It inspired other intellectuals to found magazines like
Peking University students who created New Tide (Xinchao) in 1918
and Weekly Critic (Mei-hou ping-lun). The significance of these
publications was in the fact that for the first time, they
encouraged national and social problems to be openly debated in
public. There is an eager thirst for ideas beyond anything
existing, I am convinced, in the youth of any other country on
earth American philosopher John Dewey on visiting China between
1919-1921
Slide 15
Cai Yuan-pei & National University of Peking Cai Yuan-pei (
) became Chancellor of the National University of Peking (Peita) in
1916. It was a corrupt and conservative institution. Professors
were mostly government officials and a degree was seen as a
stepping stone into officialdom. Cai worked immediately to turn the
university into an efficient and forward thinking institution.
Slide 16
Cai Yuan-pei & National University of Peking Cai set down
three principles of administration for the institution:
1.Re-evaluation of national culture by scientific methods of
research 2.A university education was not a substitute for the old
civil service exams 3.Absolute academic freedom would be allowed,
freedom of expression and rational thought encouraged.
Slide 17
Cai Yuan-pei & National University of Peking Cais changes
transformed the university. It soon became the heart of the New
Culture Movement. Scholars flocked to join the staff. Chen Duxiu
was made Dean of the School of Letters and H Shih was made
Professor of Literature in 1917. L Dzho ( ) was another radical who
was made Head Librarian. His assistant was Mao Zedong ( )! It was
at the university that the direction of the New Culture Movement
was shaped and debated. Chen Duxiu Li Dazhao Mao Zedong
Slide 18
Slide 19
H Shih Pragmatism and Plain Language H Shihs ( ) contributions
to the New Culture Movement revolved around the promotion of
Chinese liberalism and language reform. Influenced by the American
John Dewey, H advocated the idea of pragmatism ( ) as a philosophy
to evaluate traditional ethics and ideas, rather than simply
destroying all traditional values. He preached gradual, bit-by-bit
improvements of society through studying its problems and
experimentation. He was opposed to completely revolutionary ideas.
John Dewey H Shih
Slide 20
H Shih Pragmatism and Plain Language Despite his pragmatism, H
was opposed to Confucianism, coining the phrase: Confucius and Sons
Incorporated. He wrote many articles on the topic for New Youth
magazine, ranging from literature and history to textual criticism
and pedagogy all urged a re-evaluation of traditions. He argued
that Confucianism viewed the idea of truth as eternal and
unchangeable it was therefore out of touch with the realities of
the modern world. He argued: Truth is changeable according to its
utility based on experimentation.
Slide 21
H Shih Pragmatism and Plain Language H has mostly been
remembered for his campaign to replace classical Chinese characters
with a simplified, vernacular language ( /pai-hua) making Chinese
easier to read for the ordinary person. He argued that traditional
Chinese language was elitist and dead A dead language could not
produce a living literature These changes revolutionised literature
and literacy in China with the government adopting the vernacular
in all schools in 1920. Historian John Fairbank argued that the
tyranny of the classics had been broken. Other famous writers
include: Mao Dun, Lao She, Bing Xin and Lu Xun ( ). Lu Xuns essays
and fiction condemned Confucian culture. See Diary of a Madman ( )
and The True Story of Ah Q ( Q )
Slide 22
The May 4 th Demonstrations ( ) These new tensions in society
exploded on May 4 th 1919. On 28 th April, the Paris Peace
Conference in Versailles ruled that the province of Shandong ( )
should be given over to Japanese control. China had declared war on
Germany in 1917, in the hope of regaining the province. Despite
promises of self- determination by US President Woodrow Wilson, the
conference decided to give Shandong to Japan.
Slide 23
The May 4 th Demonstrations ( ) Japan had first extended its
control over Shandong during WW1. The 21-Demands of 1915, agreed to
by Yan Shikai ( ), gave Japan economic rights in the province. In
1917, Japan signed agreements with Russia and Britain, gaining
international acceptance for the 21-Demands. In September 1918, the
Chinese warlord government signed a secret deal with Japan. China
received a 20 million Yen loan in return for Japan being allowed to
station troops and build railways across the province. Japanese
Prime Minister Okuma Shigenobu, whose government drafted the
21-Demands
Slide 24
The May 4 th Demonstrations ( ) These agreements isolated China
at the Conference, resulting in Japan receiving the province. This
left Chinese faith in the West shattered. It was a national
humiliation. When the news was received in Peking, a crowd of over
5000 students organised a mass protest. Telegrams were sent to the
Chinese Delegation in Paris, urging them to refuse to sign the
Peace Treaty.
Slide 25
The May 4 th Demonstrations ( ) Some protesters were arrested.
In response, a general strike was called by all students. The
strike soon spread to other major cities shopkeepers, industrial
workers and commercial employees all joined the strike. A
nationwide boycott of Japanese goods was urged, and dockhands
refused to unload Japanese ships.
Slide 26
The May 4 th Demonstrations ( ) The government was shocked.
Under pressure and facing economic collapse, it dismissed the
pro-Japanese members of government including Cao Rulin ( ) who had
signed the 21-Demands. It instructed the delegation in Paris to
make its own decision it eventually refused to sign the peace
treaty. The May 4 th Demonstrations served as a catalyst for the
intellectual revolution, intensifying debate and leading to a split
in the movement. Cao Rulin
Slide 27
Splits in the New Culture Movement The May 4 th demonstrations
led to a re- evaluation of the New Culture Movement. The Paris
Peace Conference was viewed as a betrayal of China by the West.
Some intellectuals began to question the utility of Western Ideas
and looked to other models of developments like Marxism, Bolshevism
and Anarchism. Others sought a return to traditional Chinese
Spiritualism whereas some argued that Western Ideas were still the
best despite the failure of liberalism at the Paris Peace
Conference.
Slide 28
Splits in the New Culture Movement The split in the
intellectual movement was between those that favoured gradual
social reforms vs those that wanted rapid fundamental changes. H
Shih, a pragmatist, cautioned against talk of isms and wanted
people to study problems rationally Drop-by-drop improvements. H
would later support the Kuomintang. Chen Duxiu & Li Dazhao said
isms were necessary to give direction and solve social problems.
They would both go on to establish the Chinese Communist Party.
Chen Duxiu Li Dazhao H Shih
Slide 29
Conclusion Significance of N.C.M The New Culture Movement
fundamentally changed the intellectual and culture discourse of
Chinese society. It introduced Western ideas and brought China into
the modern world. May 4 th led to a split in the movement. Debate
focused on which path of Western development would be best for
China. Some like H Shih, preferred liberalism and gradual
improvements. Others, like Chen Duxiu, advocated Marxism and
revolutionary change. Chen Duxiu H Shih
Slide 30
Conclusion Significance of N.C.M These debates led to the
establishment the Chinese Communist Party in 1921 by Chen Duxiu and
Li Dazhao. H and the more pragmatic reforms retreated into academic
study but would support the approach of the Kuomintang in
developing China gradually. The New Culture Movement thus defined
the intellectual discourse of China until the Communist victory of
1949. Even today, debate rages over the benefits and nature of the
movement. Chen Duxiu H Shih
Slide 31
Conclusion Significance of N.C.M Liberals = viewed the movement
as one of emancipation from old thought, old ethics, old values and
was an affirmation of human rights. It was a Chinese Renaissance.
Conservatives = viewed the movement as a corrupting influence on
the youth, lacking respect for traditionalism. But was useful for
stimulating nationalism. Radicals = like Marxists viewed the
movement as one of human liberation. It was an anti-imperialist and
anti-feudal bourgeois-democratic revolution. Helped the proletariat
gain their independence and consciousness.
Slide 32
Conclusion Achievements of N.C.M 1.Literary Revolution
Introduction of plain language in 1920 and new literature based on
humanitarianism, feminism, romanticism, realism and nationalism.
Instilled a social consciousness in the public literary revolution
to revolutionary literature 2.Acceptance of Foreign Ideas Western
ideas became embedded in Chinese culture, taking on a dynamic of
their own, resulting in new ideologies like Chinese Communism.
Slide 33
Conclusion Achievements of N.C.M 3.Intensification of
Nationalism The movement stimulated the rise of a Young China.
National confidence rose as people underwent psychological
reconstruction. It sparked a new awareness in the condition of
China and a violent reaction against foreign imperialism.
4.Destruction of Confucianism No other event, including the 1911
revolution, managed to deconstruct traditional systems of belief in
China as much as the New Culture Movement. In this sense, it was a
renaissance.
Slide 34
Was the New Culture Movement a revolution? Whilst the New
Culture Movement did create huge changes in intellectual thought,
it didnt immediately change the socio-political realities of life
in China. It stirred up debates and problems without creating
lasting solutions or a new culture for everyone. China was stilled
ruled by warlords and a government who remained unaffected by the
changes and who held the keys to power. The key question for
reformers was now what direction would China take? Would it pursue
evolutionary or revolutionary change? And how could it defeat the
warlords to enact these changes?
Slide 35
Paper 3 - Exam Question 1 (2013) To what extent was the New
Culture Movement (1915- 1924), which included the 1919 May Fourth
Movement, an intellectual revolution that changed the course of
Chinese politics? (20 marks) The events following the 1911
Revolution saw the establishment of the Republic followed by its
betrayal by Yuan Shikai (Yuan Shih-kai). This was a change of
regime, but not a change in political or cultural attitudes.
Candidates may first identify what they consider to be the events
relating to the New Culture Movement. These could include: weak
central government; Japans 21 Demands in 1915; warlordism after the
death of Yuan Shikai (Yuan Shih-kai) in 1916; Chinas relationship
with the West during the First World War; the May Fourth Movement
which began as an outburst by workers and students in response to
Chinas treatment in the 1919 Treaty of Versailles. However, once
the context has been established candidates will need to analyse
some of the ideas embodied in the New Culture Movement in order to
fully answer the question. Intellectuals from Beijing University,
such as Cai Yuanpei (Tsai Yuan-pei), Hu Shi, Chen Duxiu (Chen
Tu-hsiu), Li Dazhao (Li T-chao) and Lu Xun (Lu Hsun), were heavily
involved in the New Culture Movement. It was an intellectual
revolution and literary revival which promoted the publication of
magazines in the everyday language and characters. Chen Duxius
(Chen Tu-hsius) New Youth magazine and the other New Culture
Movement publications favoured Western ideas such an emphasis on
youth, liberalism, democracy, socialism and Marxism. They
criticized Chinas traditional society and Confucian values and
promoted Western science and scholarship. The New Culture Movement
aimed to develop a new cultural identity for China. The May Fourth
Movement was a political response to the Treaty of Versailles that
was anti-imperialist, patriotic, favoured student and worker
involvement in politics and the establishment of unions. It was an
urban political movement that was against the warlordism rife in
China and favoured national unity. The May Fourth Movement arose in
the context of the New Culture Movement, but the terms are often
used interchangeably to mean the whole intellectual revolution.
Some candidates may argue that the New Culture Movement/May Fourth
Movement destroyed traditional Chinese values and society and that
Western political and cultural ideas dominated without much
constructive gain. Other candidates may argue that the course of
China politics was changed by the New Culture Movement/May Fourth
Movement in that this intellectual milieu gave rise to the Chinese
Communist Party in 1921 and Sun Yixians (Sun Yat-sens) revamped
Guomindang (Kuomintang) in 1924. Although, in 1924 the First United
Front between these parties was created, the next twenty-five years
was characterised by the conflict between them. Answers that merely
describe the 1919 May Fourth Movement without reference to the
intellectual ideas embodied in the New Culture Movement cannot
score highly.
Slide 36
Paper 3 - Exam Question 2 (2010) To what extent was the May
Fourth Movement (1919) significant in determining the future of
China? (20 marks) The events following the 1911 Revolution saw the
establishment of the Republic followed by its betrayal by Yuan
Shikai (Yuan Shih-kai). This was a change of regime, but not a
change in political culture. The 1919 May Fourth Movement saw a new
type of political activism and gave its name to an intellectual,
cultural and political movement, which lasted into the 1920s and
beyond. Politically, expect reference to student demonstrations,
opposition to the Treaty of Versailles, the impact of the Russian
Revolution and Communist ideology, the creation of the Chinese
Communist Party and Suns reform of the Guomindang (Kuomintang).
Intellectually, destroying the past included the rejection of
Confucianism, the debate between science and metaphysics, the
vernacular language movement and the emergence of writers like Lu
Xun (Lu Hsun). Candidates will need to analyse some of the ideas
embodied in the May Fourth Movement in order to fully answer the
question. The May Fourth Movement was a part of the wider New
Culture Movement, an intellectual revolution and literary revival
which promoted the publication of magazines in the everyday
language and characters. It favoured Western ideas such as an
emphasis on youth, liberalism and socialism and it criticized
Chinas traditional society and Confucian values. The May Fourth
Movement was also anti-imperialist, patriotic, favoured student and
worker involvement in politics and the establishment of unions.
Candidates must address the past in their evaluation. Some may
argue that the act of creating a republic may not have had the
immediate effects in constructing the future that had been hoped,
but that the foundations had been laid for what was to follow.
Others may see the real renaissance of China as stemming from the
events of the May Fourth movement in 1919 and the intellectual and
cultural renaissance it came to represent. Some candidates may
argue that traditional Chinese values and society were destroyed
and Western political ideas dominated without much constructive
gain. Other candidates may argue that the future directions of
China were set by the May Fourth Movement. Give credit to
candidates who trace the significance forward, and expect
evaluation in the context of developments in China as far as at
least the 1930s. Some candidates may go as far as 1949 so credit
relevant analysis and comment.
Slide 37
Paper 3 - Exam Question 3 (2007) May 4 th 1919 is a more
significant date in Chinese history than October 10 th 1911. How
far do you agree with this statement? (20 marks) The events
following October 10th 1911 saw the overthrow of the Qing (Ching)
and the establishment of the Republic, which was followed by its
betrayal by Yuan Shikai (Yuan Shih-kai). There was a change of
regime, but not a change in political culture. May 4th 1919 saw a
new type of political activism and gave its name to an
intellectual, cultural and political movement, which may be dated
back to the founding of New Youth in 1915 and lasted into the early
1920s. Politically, expect reference to student demonstrations,
opposition to the Treaty of Versailles, the impact of the Russian
Revolution and Communist ideology, the creation of the Chinese
Communist Party and Suns reform of the Guomindang (Kuomintang).
Intellectually, it included the rejection of Confucianism, the
debate between science and metaphysics, the vernacular language
movement and emergence of writers like Lu Hsun (Chou Shu-jen).
Credit candidates who argue for either date. Some may argue that
the act of creating a republic may not have had the immediate
effects hoped, but that doing so lay the foundation for what was to
follow. Others may see the real change as stemming from the events
of May 4th 1919 and the intellectual and cultural renaissance it
came to represent. [0 to 7 marks] for an account of events only. [8
to 10 marks] for accounts which provide a clear description of
events associated with the two dates with some attempt to suggest
which was the more significant. [11 to 13 marks] for attempts to
provide an analysis of the two events and their significance. [14
to 16 marks] for a more detailed comparative analysis of both
events in their political, cultural and intellectual context. [17+
marks] for well-structured comparative analysis which reaches a
clear conclusion supported by historical evidence.