Li Hongzhang And The Disintegration Of The Patriarchal-Vassal System In The Late Qing Dynasty

The Patriarchal-Vassal System is a political system which existed between China and its vassals and was characterized by tributary. The system disintegrated inevitably because of the expansion of Western countries. During the process of disintegration, Li Hongzhang accelerated it. Based on the inspection of Li Hongzhang's practice to Ryukyu, Vietnam and Korea, the author inquires into the role Li Hongzhang played in the disintegration of the Patriarchal-Vassal System.The whole study is divided into four parts:The first part introduces the approach of Li Hongzhang to the Ryukyu issue. The author tries hard to explain that Li Hongzhang held that China should negotiate with Japan about Ryukyu issue by applying international law and make Ryukyu independent, because of the Li Hongzhang's practice and the Japanese expansion, China lost the suzerainty to Ryukyu.The second part explains how Li Hongzhang dealt with Vietnam issue. The author considers that Li Hongzhang admitted inwardly the new treaty of France-Vietnam at first, which made the suzerainty to Vietnam nominal; then he insisted on the suzerainty to Vietnam; at last Li Hongzhang abandoned inwardly the suzerain rights to Vietnam. Because of Li Hongzhang's sifting the traditional Patriarchal-Vassal politics and the France aggression, Vietnam broke away from China.The third part inquires into the issue how Li Hongzhang dealt with Korea. For the interest of the North-east area of China, Li Hongzhang took many measures to strengthen the control of Korea. In appearance the object was achieved, the inclination of Korea's breaking away from China was stronger and stronger. And due to the Japanese provocation, China missed the suzerainty to Korea after the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895.The fourth part judges Li Hongzhang's effect during the course of disintegration of the Patriarchal-Vassal System. Due to the expansion of Western countries, the unequal station between the Patriarchal and the Vassal states and the decline of China, the Patriarchal-Vassal system disintegrated inevitably. During the course of disintegration, Li Hongzhang accelerated it.