Research On Tseng Kuo-fan’s Westernization Thought

As a controversial figure in the modern history of China, Tseng Kuofan’s academic,political, military, economic and diplomatic ideologies have had a significant impact onChina’s development in the modern era, and the focus of these ideologies is reflected inWesternization Movement. As the main supporter of Westernization Movement, TsengKuofan has promoted the development of Westernization Movement. Therefore, starting withthe Tseng Kuofan’s westernization thought as an entry point, the research of Tseng Kuofan isdivided into the following three parts: discussion of origin, content, evaluation andconsequence of westernization thought. The origin of Tseng Kuofan’s westernization thoughtis expounded from the reason, theoretical origin and the characteristics of westernizationthought; Tseng Kuofan’s westernization thought mainly covers military technology anddiplomatic field from which the author analyzes from the development view the configurativepurpose of suppressing the Taiping Rebellion and resisting foreign invasion through foundingmodern military enterprises and analyzes from the practical view the coexistence ofcompromise and resistance reflecting in the diplomatic thought of Tseng Kuofan. Theevaluation of Tseng Kuofan’s westernization thought should be analyzed dialecticallyincluding both the positive side and the negative side of military technology and diplomaticfield. However, Tseng Kuofan’s westernization thought, on the whole, brought favorableresults and has kept China’s modernization moving forward.