Media, News, Publishing: Catalan columns (08/04/2020)

In the mid 60s. 19th century supporters of the policy of expanding trade ties with the West, led by Prince Gong, with the vigorous support of the Empress Dowager, proclaimed China's "self-strengthening course". Cixi believed that the Qing Empire would eventually have to stop the Europeans by force, military power, but for this, the Chinese first needed to learn from them the organization of military affairs; it is necessary to adopt the technology for the production of weapons, to equip the troops with them. Supporters of self-strengthening tried to strengthen the military forces of the empire, but at the same time sought to preserve the old order.

That is why the results of the “course of self-reinforcement” turned out to be so contradictory. It seemed that the country moved towards interaction with Western civilization. A special institution was created in the capital, which dealt with relations with foreign powers, foreign trade, the purchase of weapons, ships and machines, the construction of railways and mining. Chinese dignitaries began to build arsenals, shipyards, gunpowder and cartridge factories. Western-style educational institutions appeared in China: engineering, naval, medical; translated scientific and technical literature. In the land of peasants, monks, and shen-shi officials, a new intelligentsia was born.

However, Cixi's cautious steps towards China's modernization could not bear immediate fruit. The bulk of the country's population turned out to be aloof from innovations. The spirit of entrepreneurship was difficult to spread in a society brought up in the traditions of Confucianism. Domineering and decisive, Cixi tried to end China's terrible scourge - a system of bribery among officials, placing people devoted to her in key positions, but in vain. The misleading impression that the Qing Empire had advanced quite far along the path of progress dissipated during the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895.

Under the terms of the contracts signed after its completion, foreigners received the right to build their factories and plants in China. In 1897 there were already 600 foreign firms and about 50,000 foreign nationals. A real struggle flared up for very profitable concessions for the construction of railways. The great powers turned China into a field of their rivalry and by the beginning of the 20th century. effectively divided the country into spheres of influence. England controlled the provinces of South China and the Yangtze River basin, France controlled the southwestern regions, Germany controlled the Shandong Peninsula, Japan captured the island of Taiwan, Russia gained exclusive influence in Manchuria, where it built the famous Chinese Eastern Railway. In addition, some strategically important coastal points were leased to foreign powers (for example, Port Arthur and Far on the Liaodong Peninsula - Russia, Qingdao in Shandong - Germany, Weihaiwei - England, etc.). China has lost the ability to pursue an independent policy.

The collapse of the "self-empowerment policy" forced Cixi to move away from the helm of government, although her influence was still great. The young Emperor Gong Xu came to the fore. He was not a man of strong will, but he had a broad enough outlook to understand the connection between the level of development of European civilization and its social system. Since 1898, the famous Chinese scholar Kang Yuwei began to exert a great influence on him, accusing the ruling circles of Beijing and the Dowager Empress herself of being unable to repel the penetration of Europeans. He called on Guaneyu, following the example of Peter I and the Japanese Emperor Mutsu-hito, to personally lead the implementation of reforms, removing everything from China's heritage that could hinder progress. During the "hundred days of reforms" (June 11 - September 22, 1898), Guangxu issued over 60 decrees proclaiming the goal of renewing the Qing Empire and turning it into a strong modern state. The emperor's decrees ordered to promote the development of new branches of the economy, re-equip the army and purge its personnel, and eliminate unnecessary institutions. The reformers tried to modernize the system of state examinations by introducing the history of the West and political economy into their curriculum. The decrees of the authorities promised to encourage the publication of newspapers, magazines, and foreign books. The policies of Guaneyu and Kang Yuwei aroused strong dissatisfaction with Cixi. She saw in these reforms only oblivion of ancient traditions and thoughtless worship of the West. Acting from behind the scenes, the most influential empress gradually rallied the opponents of innovation around herself. Cixi ensured that the bureaucracy that reigned in the provinces and counties paralyzed the implementation of reforms, and imperial decrees remained only on paper.

In turn, the emperor's supporters were well aware that the reforms could not be implemented as long as the outdated system of government enjoyed the support of Cixi. In September 1898, Kang Yuwei decided to take a desperate step. He turned to the popular general Yuan Shikai for support, hoping to use a military coup to remove the empress dowager from power. However, the general betrayed him. On the night of September 21-22, Cixi raised the Manchu guard and overthrew Guaneyu. On his behalf, a decree was issued condemning the reformers and asking the empress to take the reins of government into her own hands. Guangxu was imprisoned in one of the palaces and since then, for ten years, he eked out a miserable existence as a royal prisoner. He lived, surrounded by spies (his wife was among them), sick, deprived of real medical care by order of Cixi.

Media, News, Publishing

четверг, 9 апреля 2020 г.

Catalan columns (08/04/2020)

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четверг, 9 апреля 2020 г.

Catalan columns (08/04/2020)

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четверг, 9 апреля 2020 г.