On The New Intellectuals' Militarism Thought And Practice At The Beginning Of The 20～(th) Century

At the beginning of the 20th century, with the national crisis becoming serious andthe modern western thoughts pouring constantly, the militarism thought arose. Themilitarism thought is one of the progressive thoughts in the late years of the QingDynasty. In order to achieve the goal of saving the nation with military forces, it calledfor cultivating the people's military spirits and carrying out the policy of every citizenbeing a soldier. And it expressed the new intellectuals' strong wishes of inspiring thenational spirit and improving China's position in the world. Taking the new intellectualsas the carrier of the militarism thought, the thesis focuses on their mental developmentand practice of saving the nation and makes a thorough inquiry of effects of themilitarism thought and practice in the crucial historical period and summarizes theirprogress and limitations. The thesis is divided into four parts. In the first part, the author makes an analysis of the social and cultural origins ofthe new intellectuals' militarism thought. These origins can be classified into fouraspects:(1) the increasingly serious national crisis ;(2) the influences of the theory ofevolution;(3) the enlightenment of Bushido and Japanese National Spirit;(4) the Chinesetraditional values on militarism. In the second part, the author expounds the contents of the new intellectuals'militarism thought. It includes five aspects:(1) advocating the quintessence of Chineseculture—martial arts;(2) strengthening the combat capabilities;(3) maintaining thethought that every citizen is a soldier;(4) improving the people's physique;(5)advocating the militarism education. In the third part, the author elaborates the new intellectuals' militarism practice. Itincludes five aspects: founding the folk military organizations, creating militaryliterature, being engaged in assassination, spreading the physical education, andestablishing the revolutionary organizations against the Qing Dynasty. In the fourth part, the author comments on the new intellectuals' militarism thoughtand practice. The new intellectuals' militarism thought and practice have brought aboutpositive influences to China's modern society in politics and education etc. Although thethought and practice are patriotic and progressive, there unavoidably exists somelimitations because of the special historical background.