The Seeds And Preliminary Development Of Modern Education In The Period Of Westernization Movement

Westernization Movement is the process in which some Chinese with advanced knowledge explore how to modernize China. With the increasing frequency of communication with foreign countries, learning foreign languages was put in the work schedule of the government of Qing Dynasty, consequently, the Westernization Faction promptly founded a series of schools of foreign languages like Tongwen School. During the process of suppressing peasants' revolts and dealing with foreign affairs, the faction got aware of the advanced science and technology represented by the solidly-built ships and powerful cannons. Especially with the urgent needs of talents in the construction of coast defense, a series of technical schools such as Fuzhou Shipping Administration Academy and a series of military schools such as Tianjin Navy Academy which cultivated their own military talents. All these schools were essentially different from the traditional education in foundation patterns, curriculum, teachers and some other aspects. From then on, the modern education in China began. Another new pattern of modern education in China was academy reforms and overseas study, which added new life to the traditional education with a long history. Besides, since the system of treaties had been initially set up, foreign religions were spread more widely in China and a lot of missionary schools were founded by foreign priests, which in a way the modern education of China drewlessons from. With the spread of Western learning in China, more and more books appeared on natural and social science, additionally, some special or attached organizations of translation appeared in Tongwen Academy and Fuzhou Shipping Administration Academy, and other translation organizations set up by foreign priests. The publishing of books on natural and social science and the editing of textbooks became the media of the spread of modern education and the development of western learning. On the whole, the modern education in the period of Westernization Movement developed on the condition of the effective combination of modern schools, overseas education, modern academies, missionary schools and the translation and publicity of Western books. It is the preliminary stage of the modernization of Chinese education.