The Research On Cai Yuanpei And The New Culture Movement(1915—1919)

Based on recordings about Cai Yuanpei from 1915 to 1919, this paper will focus on his important role in the New Culture Movement by analyzing documents on his effort during the same period in the Peking University and the New Culture Movement. During the New Culture Movement, Cai Yuanpei made "freedom of thought and compatibleness of opinion" as the guideline to reform the Peking University and positioned it as a research university. Besides, he hired teachers with professional skills and trained students by paying more attention to their aspirations,virtue and respects towards teachers and classmates in the Peking University.Meanwhile, Cai Yuanpei had more tolerance the conservative forces that supported the Peking University's innovation and for those who were against the innovation, he fought unswervingly. In addition, he made great contributions to the vigorous development of the New Youth by helping it moved north, supporting new figures of the New Culture Movement, and writing articles for the journal, making the Peking University together with the New Youth the center of the New Culture Movement.Being a supporter and protector of the New Culture Movement, Cai Yuanpei opposed some of Confucius' thoughts and promoted vernacular Chinese. Also, he spread Marxism and science, which were favorable conditions for the New Culture Movement. Headquartered in the Peking University, the New Culture Movement made important ideological and professional preparations for the upcoming May Fourth Movement.