Late Qing Governors And The Early Modernization In China

In the early 20th century, local governors had become an independent and important political force that could influence court decision, and they occupied an important position in the history of modern China who promoted the modernization of China, and was a leading power that played an important role in the early modern China. This thesis selects the important late Qing governor Zhou Fu as a case study to analyze his important local role and status in the late Qing modernization, especially in the modernization.Zhou Fu was a key member of Li Hongzhang in the early years. Zhou followed Li in Foreign Affairs for 40 years, and was entrusted by him to take part in Li's internal affairs, foreign affairs, military, diplomatic and other fields of activity. Zhou had served as governor of Shandong, Governor of Liangjiang, Governor of Guangdong and Guangxi in late Qing. During his tenure, he was able to implement reforms. Economically, he opened commercial port, developed industry, rectified Jiangnan Manufacture General Bureau, protected and revitalized national mineral resources and modern fisheries; politically, he advocated constitutional government and an independent judiciary; educationally, he broadened the schools, promoted New Learning, and abolished imperial examination; diplomatically, he proposed a new policy to Germany and protected national power. In addition, he also took an active interest in the late Qing social problems, urban problems.This paper describes the political background of the late Qing Dynasty, Zhou Fu's life and reform measures and the ideological claims during new government. By Zhou Fu, the paper discusses some of the late Qing governors in the early modernization process of being played a leader and promotion role, but also analyzes difficulties and limitations they encountered under the context of the times.