Research on the Relationship Between Cultural Thought in the Late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China and China’s Modernization Process

Abstract

The Chinese culture during the Qing dynasty was drawn from Confucian cultural beliefs and political ideals in the society. The Republic of China was born in 1912 and was heavily influenced by the West revolutionary, Sun Yat-Sen who acted and controlled the Xinhai Revolution in 1911. The present study seeks to examine the relationship between cultural thought in the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China and China’s modernization process. We conducted a historical analysis of key events, figures and historical texts from documents and publications about the history of analysis. Thematic, ideational, and discourse analyses were performed. The findings showed that during the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China, China's approach to modernization was a complex interplay between tradition and Western influence. Intellectual movements and reform efforts reflected this tension. Early on, the Self[1]Strengthening Movement focused on acquiring Western military technology to address immediate national security concerns. However, this approach proved limited in achieving broader societal and economic progress. The modernisation process in China involves a complex pattern of relationship between modernity and traditional cultures.