How did the self-strengthening movement affect China?self-strengthening movement 1860s

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Recognizing their military and political weakness vis-à-vis the Western powers, the Qing court began searching for a way to reestablish dominion over its own country and restore the glory of the traditional China’s Confucian system. The Self-Strengthening Movement sought to empower China by adopting many of the West’s inventions including, naval vessels, arsenals, railways, shipyards, telegraphs, artillery, etc. When put to the test, however (prematurely some would argue), these adaptations proved entirely inadequate despite China’s apparent advantage on paper. The failure of the Self-Strengtheners left a vacuum at court that was soon filled by the Reformers led by Kang Youwei. The Reformers sought to empower China via limited Westernization: the adoption of Western institutions such as education, communications, government systems, etc. By juicing up Confucian society with Western institutions, Kang hoped to rescue the Qing court and traditional Confucian culture from Western dominance. The Hundred Days Reforms, however, failed as well by alienating conservatives at the Qing court and failing to provide any solid evidence of change.

The failure of the Reformers left the conservatives in sole control of Qing policy, opening the door for court support of the Boxer Uprising. The Boxers rose initially to challenge the role of Chinese Christians in society. Seizing the opportunity, the court steered the Boxers’ anger towards Westerners, thereby transforming the uprising into an anti-imperialist crusade to attack and drive foreigners from China. The Boxers’ eventual failure, however, meant the death for the traditional system since it confirmed the superior firepower of the West and the desperate inability of the Qing court to effectively manage the problem.