107 The Hundred Days' Reform
Welcome to listen to Chinese history. In 1894, the Beiyang Fleet of the Qing Dynasty suffered a major defeat in the First Sino-Japanese War, signaling the complete loss of the Qing government's naval power. This also marked the failure of the Self-Strengthening Movement that had been ongoing for 35 years. After defeating Japan, China rapidly became a military power and started down the path of militarism. The country's semi-colonial status and national crisis deepened, leading to a rise of patriotic intellectuals such as Kang Youwei, Liang Qichao, and Tan Sitong, who advocated for reforms to save the country. Despite facing opposition from conservative factions, they formed societies and started newspapers to spread their ideas. In 1895, news of the signing of the Treaty of Shimonoseki by Japan reached Beijing, prompting Kang Youwei, Liang Qichao, and others to petition the Emperor Guangxu for reforms. However, their efforts were hindered, and the Emperor was not able to receive their petition. At the time, Yuan Shikai, who worked in military affairs, supported Kang Youwei's ideas and was close to the reformers. The internal conflicts within the Qing court between Emperor Guangxu and Empress Dowager Cixi intensified as the reformist political reforms threatened the interests of the Manchu nobility and traditional forces led by Cixi. On September 18, 1898, Emperor Guangxu secretly sought Kang Youwei's help in response to the impending crisis. A plan was developed to remove the Empress Dowager Cixi from power, with Yuan Shikai playing a crucial role in the unfolding events. Different accounts suggest that Yuan Shikai promised to support the reformists before ultimately siding with the conservative faction, while others argue that his actions were driven by fear of Cixi's power. The coup attempt failed, leading to the downfall of the reformists and the execution of several key figures. This period, known as the Hundred Days' Reform, marked a brief period of political reform in China before ultimately collapsing due to the weakness of the reformist forces. Yuan Shikai, a prominent political and military figure in modern China, played a pivotal role in these events. Born in 1859, Yuan Shikai rose to prominence during the late Qing Dynasty and played a significant role in modernizing the Chinese military. After the downfall of the Qing Dynasty, he helped negotiate the abdication of Emperor Puyi and became the first President of the Republic of China, choosing to establish a constitutional monarchy.