A Comparative Study Of Liang Qichao And Zhang Taiyan Thought Of Nationalism

In the late Qing Dynasty, facing the widespread invasion that foreign powers inflicted on China and which extends to field of politics, economics and culture, China got into trouble of being divided by different countries.Thus, struggle consciousness of a number of nationalist who are actuated by high ideals has been aroused and gradually came to the formation and expansion. Liang Qichao and Zhang Taiyan are the representative figures of this trend of thought. Their theory of nationalism not only opened a new chapter in the history of modern Chinese thought, but also had an important influence on the outbreak of the 1911 Revolution. Therefore, the academic circles have done a lot of research on Liang Qichao's and Zhang Taiyan's nationalism, and formed a deep academic accumulation, which has made great achievements. This paper based on the relevant research of experts and scholars,mainly makes a comparative study on the origin, core content and historical influence of the thought of the two people's nationalism in order to explore the similarities and differences between the nationalist thoughts of Liang Qichao and Zhang Taiyan and then explore the historical status and influence of their nationalism.Nationalism is an important ideological trend in modern China and the world. Taking advantage of the study of "nationalism" and other core concepts,this paper reviews the research achievements of the academic circles,compares the concept of nationalism in modern countries, quotes the role of nationalism in the establishment of nation-state,lists the source and formulation of ethnic and nationalism in the history of Chinese thought. Then,the author gives a brief description of the research on Liang Qichao's and Zhang Taiyan's nationalism thought, which presents the basic content of the men's nationalism.According to this, the paper enters chapter of the research topic of comparing the nationalist thought of Liang Qichao and Zhang Taiyan. First of all, it makes a comparative study of Liang Qichao's and Zhang Taiyan's thoughts of nationalism and expounds the origin of their nationalism thought.This paper considers that they both influenced by the concept of Chinese traditional culture but more affected by European nationalism. In addition,their different experiences also had impact on the formation of their thought.Secondly, it analyzes the primary coverage of Liang Qichao's and Zhang Taiyan's nationalism thought, pointing out that they have common ground which lies in anger at corruption and incompetence of the imperial court at that time, under the pressure of foreign powers and the grave disaster of the Chinese nation. They assert learning the experience of Europe, the United States and Japan, make nationalism as an urge to wake up the people and the revitalize the country. Because of the different path of reform and revolution,therefore, Liang Qichao put forward the concept of Chinese nation, which includes Han nationality, Manchu, Mongolian nationality, the Hui nationality and Tibetan and proposed to seek national progress by reforming the constitutional of the political system and the cultivation of new citizens;however, Zhang Taiyan, focused on revealing the oppression and atrocities of the Han nationality by the establishment of Qing Dynasty, advocated the nationalism as revolution mobilization to overthrow the rule of the Qing Dynasty. As a result of these similarities and differences,Liang Qichao's and Zhang Taiyan's nationalism thought also have the different influence on the modern history of China.Finally, it makes a comparative study of the historical influence of their nationalism. Zhang Taiyan's thought of nationalism used the coalition revolutionary programmed "Expel the Manchu" which led by Sun Zhongshan as its main theme. Regarding that nationalism serving as the ideological weapon and overthrowing the Qing Dynasty by revolutionary means, it played an important role. His earlier view proposed by them went to indignant. But his view later turned to the trend of national unity. Liang Qichao's nationalism thought is consistent with the improvement route and the goal, as a result,there had some impairment on ante-Qing Dynasty revolutionary movement of the Qing Dynasty. However, a series of views on national unity, national independence, national competition and national progress have a positive significance in the long time.In China, the nationalism is rising, and need to be properly guided and played its role. The comparative study of Liang Qichao's and Zhang Taiyan's ideas of nationalism has important significance of the times: first, it is conducive to adhering to the national concept of national unity and national equality, second, it is helpful to attach importance to national identity and patriotism education, third, it will help guide nationalism into a motive force for the development of a modern country.