Self-Strengthening Movement
Definition
A late 19th-century campaign in China where officials sought to modernize the country's social institutions, military capabilities, and economic performance by learning from Western advancements.
Analogy
Imagine you're playing an old video game console while your friends have all upgraded to newer models. You realize you need to catch up or be left behind - so you start buying new games (technology), improving your skills (military), and saving money for future upgrades (economy). That's what China tried doing through this movement - catching up with Western powers.
Related terms
Westernization: The adoption of western ideas, technology, culture and lifestyle. This is what many Chinese leaders aimed for during the Self-Strengthening Movement.
Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895): A conflict between China and Japan over control of Korea. The war revealed the weaknesses in China's military, despite the Self-Strengthening Movement.
Treaty of Shimonoseki: The treaty that ended the Sino-Japanese War, which resulted in significant territorial and economic losses for China.
"Self-Strengthening Movement" appears in:
Study guides (2)
Resources
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.