A report on Li Hongzhang and Self-Strengthening Movement
Li Hongzhang uses the term in an 1864 letter whereby he identifies the Western strength as lying in technology and advocates learning to construct such machines, first military and subsequently – in a memorial the following year – civilian.
- Self-Strengthening MovementHe was given the concurrent appointments as Viceroy of Zhili Province and Beiyang Trade Minister (北洋通商大臣) to oversee various issues in Zhili, Shandong and Fengtian provinces, including trade, tariffs, diplomacy, coastal defence, and modernisation.
- Li Hongzhang6 related topics with Alpha
First Sino-Japanese War
3 linksConflict between the Qing dynasty of China and the Empire of Japan primarily over influence in Joseon Korea.
Conflict between the Qing dynasty of China and the Empire of Japan primarily over influence in Joseon Korea.
The war demonstrated the failure of the Qing dynasty's attempts to modernize its military and fend off threats to its sovereignty, especially when compared with Japan's successful Meiji Restoration.
The Qing dispatched two special advisers on foreign affairs representing Chinese interests to Korea: the German Paul Georg von Möllendorff, a close confidant of Li Hongzhang, and the Chinese diplomat Ma Jianzhong.
Qing dynasty
3 linksManchu-led conquest dynasty and the last imperial dynasty of China.
Manchu-led conquest dynasty and the last imperial dynasty of China.
The Tongzhi Restoration of the 1860s brought vigorous reforms and the introduction of foreign military technology in the Self-Strengthening Movement.
Zeng Guofan, in alliance with Prince Gong, sponsored the rise of younger officials such as Li Hongzhang, who put the dynasty back on its feet financially and instituted the Self-Strengthening Movement.
Empress Dowager Cixi
3 linksChinese noblewoman, concubine and later regent who effectively controlled the Chinese government in the late Qing dynasty for 47 years, from 1861 until her death in 1908.
Chinese noblewoman, concubine and later regent who effectively controlled the Chinese government in the late Qing dynasty for 47 years, from 1861 until her death in 1908.
Although Cixi refused to adopt Western models of government, she supported technological and military reforms and the Self-Strengthening Movement.
Zeng was rewarded with the title of "Marquess Yiyong, First Class", while his brother Zeng Guoquan, along with Li Hongzhang, Zuo Zongtang and other Han Chinese officers who fought against the Taiping rebels, were rewarded with auspicious decorations and titles.
Beiyang Fleet
2 linksOne of the four modernized Chinese navies in the late Qing dynasty.
One of the four modernized Chinese navies in the late Qing dynasty.
Among the four, the Beiyang Fleet was particularly sponsored by Li Hongzhang, one of the most trusted vassals of Empress Dowager Cixi and the principal patron of the "self-strengthening movement" in northern China in his capacity as the Viceroy of Zhili and the Minister of Beiyang Commerce (北洋通商大臣).
Taiping Rebellion
1 linksMassive rebellion and civil war that was waged in China between the Manchu-led Qing dynasty and the Han, Hakka-led Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.
Massive rebellion and civil war that was waged in China between the Manchu-led Qing dynasty and the Han, Hakka-led Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.
The 14-year civil war combined with other internal and external wars weakened the dynasty but provided incentive for an initially successful period of reform and self-strengthening.
Qing forces were reorganised under the command of Zeng Guofan, Zuo Zongtang and Li Hongzhang, and the Qing reconquest began in earnest.
Sheng Xuanhuai
0 linksQing dynasty Chinese tycoon, politician, and educator.
Qing dynasty Chinese tycoon, politician, and educator.
Sheng's father was also a close friend of General Li Hongzhang.
Taking active part in the Self-Strengthening Movement, He actively advocated using Western technology in saving the country from destitution.