Transformation Of National Defense Education In Schools From Qing Dynasty Last Stage To Republic Of China Initial Period

China's education of national defence traces its history back to ancient times. However, since the late Qing Dynasty, it has been replaced by its counterpart in modern times ultimately, for the traditional national defence education fails to update and improve itself. Zeng Guofan and Li Hongzhang, the advocates of Westernization Movement, started to purchase western weapons, learned their military technology, introduced their military training skills and launched military schools for the purpose of strengthening national defence of Qing government. Military schools, the rudiments of national defence education in modern times, began to take shape during the Westernization Movement.The earliest education of national defence originated in missionary schools in the late 19th century. Although the introduction of military training in those missionary schools was not intended to build up the national defence of China but follow blindly the western curriculum, objectively speaking, it did give impetus to the promotion of military training in other schools, thus further developing the education of national defence.In 1902, Qing government promulgated "School Regulations Made by Imperial Order" and started to carry out national defence education in schools, which developed rapidly thereafter. After the collapse of Qing Dynasty and the founding of Republic of China, national defence education was still kept in schools despite the change in state system. It was not until 1919 when Germany was defeated in WWI that the military training in schools was cancelled under the influence of both international and domestic factors.The national defence education, which was carried out in modern China, has exerted a considerable influence on the society. First of all, the patriotic sentiment of Chinese people is enhanced. Secondly, a large number of qualified personnel are cultivated for the national defence forces. Thirdly, the general public takes delight in participating in sports and supporting the army, thus changing the social atmosphere. Consequently, the national defence education in modern China has laid a foundation for its counterpart in the contemporary age, and moreover, it can be used for reference.