IGNOU HISTORY NOTES : History Of China and Japan (1840-1949) - Cultural Movement

IGNOU HISTORY Study Notes for IAS, UPSC Exams

History Of China and Japan (1840-1949)

Cultural Movement

Structure

28.0 Objectives
28.1 Introduction
28.2 The New Setting
28.3 Confucianism and Traditional Chinese Society
28.4 The 1911 Revolution and the 'New Culture'
28.4.1 Philosophers and Ideas
28.4.2 The Students
28.4.3 The New Youth
28.4.4 Attack on Tradition: Intellectual Efforts
28.5 Consequences of the May Fourth Incident
28.6 Let Us Sum Up
28.7 Key Words
28.8 Answers to Check Your Progress Exercises

28.0 OBJECTIVES

After reading this Unit you will be able to know about the:

• hold of Confucian philosophy on China,
• reasons behind the advent of "new culture" after 1911,
• components of the New Cultural'Movement, and
• role of intellectuals in China's Cultural Revolution.

28.1 INTRODUCTION

In Unit 5 (Block-1) we had discussed about Confucious and the impact of Confucian
ideology over classical and medieval China. Confucianism as an ideology had been
practised in China for more than 2000 years. However, a variety of factors led to the
generation of such new ideas which challenged not only the hold of Confucian ideology
over the Chinese but its very basis. Imperialist exploitation of China, ttie urge to
modernise and bring about political reforms were some such factors. The initial
attempts for reform had been tried out very much within confines of Confucianism with
the exception of the Taipings who had openly challenged and flouted it. All these
aspects we have touched upon in earlier Units.
j In this Unit we discuss the emergence of a new culture in China immediately after the
Revolution of 191 1. The roots of this new culture had been established from the closing
years of the 19th century. The role played by intellectuals, students, the university
system, etc. in this new awakening has also been taken into account. 

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