Between Tradition And Modernity-The Research On Ideology Of Coast Defence In Tongzhi Dynasty (1861-1879)

Since ancient times,Chinese rarely encountered strong enemy from sea.After the Opium war,western countries with a strong navy began to invade China.Chinese coastline has more than 10,000 km,Coastal facilities would not be able to block the enemy's offensive,the threat to chinese national security was unprecedented.The failur of the Opium War Two greatly shocked the Qing dynasty.The failure of the Opium War in fact could be attributed to the failure of coast defense.From this point of view,People started to seriously reflect on the defense of traditional Chinese thought of coast defense,the traditional thought of coast defense began to change towards the modern times.After the 60's of 19th century,Qing dynasty emerged the new situation. Internally,after the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom was suppressed,Qing dynasty could turn to deal with the Western powers;Internationally,the abrupt rising of the Japanese navy stimulated Qing government in order to build a strong navy.The thought of coast defence in Tongzhi dynasty included some aspects.For example,Qing dynasty vigorously strengthened the building of modern navy;and dealed with international maritime disputes by diplomatic norms;achieved mutual understanding by modern media;Chinese traditional strategy of coast defense changed from the traditional concept of "emphasizing land and despising sea" to thought of "paying equal attention to land and sea",and meantime,people of insight awared the importance of water war.The strategic distribution of navy also changed:concept of divisional defense and emphatical defense take the place of thought of setting up defence everywhere.All of these will be discussed emphatically in this article.Author would like to outline dynamic process of transformation of coast defence from tradition to modernity through analysising these factors.Chinese development of coastal defence could be reviewed through three parts in my thesis.Introduction,Summary the results and situation of the research project,and point out the objective and significance of the project.Chapter one,Firstly,reflect on Chinese traditional thought of coast defense Profoundly after the failure of the Opium War.Secondly,summary and explain the historical background comprehensively.Chapter two,explore Qing government's efforts of strengthening the navy construction,and thinkers'strategy of the naval-building.Chapter three,Qing government strengthened and safeguarded national security of coast defense by diplomatic,media and other modern means.Chapter four,discuss the strategic and tactical changes of coast defence;Japan become the focus of Chinese coastal defense;highlight Taiwan's strategic position for safeguarding national security;divisional and emphatical coast layout;more attention on the importance of water warfare.Conclusion,summary and induct the dynamic reasons of transition of coast defence;the content of thought;role and value of the history.