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The Hundred Days of Reform was during the late Qing dynasty in 1898; this was a notable but brief political and cultural movement in China. It lasted from June 11 to September 21, only 103 days and sought to modernise China's military, political, and educational systems in reaction to mounting domestic discontent and external pressure from other nations.
Illustration by The Geostrata
The initiative was led by forward-thinking academicians like Liang Qichao and Kang Youwei intending to modernise the Confucian governance system and eventually push for a constitutional monarchy that would encourage accountability in governance and restrict the emperor's authority.
REFORMIST VISION AND GOALS
The conflicts between progressive reformists and conservative traditionalists culminated in the Hundred Days of Reform. The Qing emperor Guangxu sought to enact sweeping governance, education, and military changes.
On June 11, 1898, the Guangxu Emperor issued broad "decisions on national affairs," officially launching the Hundred Days of Reform. Reformist figures like Kang Youwei, Tan Sitong, Huang Zunxian, and Liang Qichao were appointed crucial positions.
Redundant positions were eliminated, Manchu subsidies were revoked, and the outmoded Green Standard Army was disbanded. These steps were intended to modernise administration, improve governance, and decrease inefficiencies. The foundation of Peking University and the incorporation of science and politics in schools marked important developments in the education system.
The conventional eight-legged essay was removed from the examination system, and other initiatives, such as translation bureaus and study organisations, were promoted to promote intellectual progress.
KEY REFORMS IN GOVERNNACE, EDUCATION, AND MILITARY
During the Hundred Days of 1898, several reform directives focused on the economy, education, and administration were introduced. The outdated Green Standard Army was dismantled, ineffective offices and positions were eliminated, and subsidies for the Manchu were halted. Officials were allowed to make direct recommendations to the emperor.
In education, reforms included the establishment of Peking University, the conversion of former academies and temples into schools, and the inclusion of science and politics in the curriculum.
The traditional eight-legged essay was removed from the examination system, and incentives for creativity were established. To foster intellectual and cultural development, Liang Qichao supervised a translation bureau that introduced foreign texts.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PEKING UNIVERSITY
When its centenary was extensively celebrated in 1998, 20 years after reform was once more declared China's national agenda (1978), bringing history and policy together. Peking University, commonly known as Beida, was founded in 1898 as the Imperial College (Jingshi daxuetang). It celebrated both the historical event and its development over the previous century.
LIANG QICHAO AND THE INTELLECTUAL PUSH FOR REFORM
Liang Qichao was a key figure in the Hundred Days Reform and advocated for new ideas in early twentieth-century China.
Liang drew attention to a cultural irony in his writing for the tri-monthly publication Qingyi Bao, located in Yokohama. Despite China's rich history and old culture, its past has become a burden that hinders innovation and advancement.
Liang contended that this standstill reflected the necessity for cultural and intellectual change to abandon antiquated customs.
FOREIGN INFLUENCE AND MISCALCULATIONS
With the help of missionary resources and decades of Chinese intellectual interaction with the West, the reformers of 1898 aimed to rescue China from foreign rule. They miscalculated the true character of imperialist goals, even if they thought that embracing Western principles would make them equal to other nations.
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The boldness of reformers, motivated by anti-imperialist feelings, ran counter to missionaries' goals, which frequently aimed to support foreign domination.
"Enlightened" missionaries encouraged changes to increase foreign influence, while conservative ones advocated preserving old structures, avoiding drastic change out of concern for China regaining its independence.
HISTORICAL CONSCIOUSNESS AND CHINA'S NEED FOR CHANGE
In contrast to the West's active historical consciousness, which honoured historical occurrences such as Darwin's The Origin of Species and the American Revolution, Liang Qichao critiqued China's sluggish historical thinking.
“Liang's expression, lishi di sixiang, literally means 'historical thinking', but he probably had 'historical consciousness' in mind.”
He urged China to embrace a linear perspective of history that is centred on the future rather than honouring the past as sacred and mythical, cyclical, moral, and ritualistic, arguing that such behaviours promoted progress, historical respect, and national power.
CONSERVATIVE RESISTANCE AND THE COUP OF 1898
Liang, who had been exiled to Yokohama following the collapse of the 100 Days Reform, arranged a ceremony in 1899 to remember six scholar-officials who had been put to death in the 1898 coup. Conservative groups led by Empress Dowager Cixi maintained a sizable amount of power despite reformist victories during the Hundred Days. Conservatives could resist thanks to important appointments like Ronglu's military leadership and his appointment as governor of Zhili.
The Guangxu Emperor was placed under house arrest after the reform movement was violently put down in a palace coup on September 16, 1898. The Hundred Days Reform came to an end at this point, and many of its leaders were either executed or forced into exile
FROM REFORM TO NATIONALISM
In the late 1890s, China’s response to internal and external crises evolved through militant conservatism and later nationalism. Militant conservatism sought to preserve Confucian traditions but was discredited after the Boxer Rebellion (1898–1900).
Nationalism briefly gained prominence during the 100 Days Reform and emerged as the dominant approach after 1900.
THE LEGACY OF THE HUNDRED DAYS OF REFORM
Despite its short lifespan, the Hundred Days Reform 1898 catalysed China's modernisation efforts. Later reformers were inspired by the intellectual legacy created by its ambitious goal to overhaul the government, education, and military.
Leaders like Liang Qichao and Kang Youwei defended the movement's ideals, and they influenced the 1911 Xinhai Revolution and China's eventual shift to nationalism and constitutional government.
Its failure demonstrated the challenges of implementing quick changes in a conservative society, but it also signalled a shift in thinking and set the stage for China's ongoing struggle to reconcile tradition and modernity.
BY SHRIYANSHU SATYAM
TEAM GEOSTRTARA
Well written