Historical research paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Historical - Research Paper ExampleThe main aim of the self-strengthening movement in China was to restore values, implied by the term strength, to the weakened country through the cornerstone of western learning and technology. Kim (2004) identified that students, both at home and abroad, acquire western languages, thoughts and science. Shipyards, arsenals and factories, were based on the western models. Indeed, self-strengthening movement influenced uniquely to the cultural, social, economic and political situation in China (Twitchett 129).The period amidst 1861 and 1895 is referred self-strengthening movement period of institutional reforms started during the late Qing Dynasty after a series of concessions and military defeat to strange powers. Most of the ruling elites still subscribed to a conservative Confucian worldview. However, with Chinas honorable defeats in the first and second Opium Wars, officials debated on the way forward. Kim (2004) pointed out that the official s argued that in order to reinforce itself against the West, the word sense of western military armaments and technology was inevitable. They agreed that shipyards and arsenal shall be established and to hire foreign advisers to wrap up Chinese artisans to fabricate such wares in China (Fairbank 37).Kim (2004) divided the activities of the movement into three phases. The first phase, which lasted from 1861 to 1872, accentuated the bridal of western machines, scientific knowledge, firearms, training of diplomatical and technical personnel through the development of a diplomatic college and office. The second phase lasted from 1872 to 1885. This phase concentrated its attention on modernizing industries, agriculture and commerce as strong as to the creation of wealth in an attempt to strengthen the economy (Pong 79). Finally, during the third phase, which occurred between 1885 and 1895, modernization