Research On The Constitutionalist Of The Later Qing Dynasty

In the early 20th century, China had both internal and external difficulties. With the deepening national crisis, the Chinese people tried to find a way to save from extinction. In 1901, the Qing government implemented the New Deal reforms, but these reforms did not involve the fundamental political system. Some Western-educated intellectuals accepted the constitutional appeal to save the nation. By the Qing government's political reform, they want to build capitalism in China, the nature of the constitutional monarchy. Those who advocated a constitutional monarchy is the late Qing constitutionalists.Efforts by the constitutionalists'propaganda and social activities, the Qing government finally agreed to constitutionalism. In the Qing government's entire constitutional process of the preparation, the Constitutionalists actively involved.Constitutionalists established a variety of newspapers and magazines, set up a number of constitutional bodies, vigorously publicized through various forms of Western constitutional ideas, enlightened the people's thinking; In the preparation process of the Conference Board, constitutionalists actively involved in the Conference Board's Primaries and runoffs activities, initially tempered the ability of the people's political participation; In the case of a deepening national crisis, the constitutionalists joint provincial representatives of the Conference Board, other groups, and majority of the people. They demanded the convening of Congress in advance. Constitutional movement was to a climax.However, the Qing government's performance has been disappointing. In May 1911, the establishment of "royal cabinet" exposed the false appearance. Constitutionalists began to give up the illusion of the Qing government. After the outbreak of the Wuchang Uprising, most constitutionalists have joined the revolutionary camp. They actively participate in independent activities of the provinces. They worked closely with the revolutionaries and made a contribution in the Revolution's victory.Although the attempt of constitutional salvation ultimately failed, but in the process of constitutional movement, the constitutionalists has made an indelible contribution for changing the feudal autocratic system in China and promoted the modernization of China's political system to some extent. Some political practice of constitutionalists provided a reference for the Government of the Republic of China.Looking back at the history, constitutionalists and their efforts deserve our recognition.