The Reform of “One Hundred Days”

The Catastrophic failure of China in her

foreign relations which virtually began with
her defeat at the hands of Japan her tiny
neighbour in the First Sino Japanese war of
1894 – 95 stirred many of the Chinese into
action

Kang ye-Wei
It was he who among all those of the lower
rank in the society gained prominence very
soon.
Born in Nan-hai in Kwangtung province in
1858, the home of the most important
reformers and revolutionaries, K’ang was a
utopian of the first order.

He went through the English translation of

the Confucian learning and interpreted it ia
way which established Confucius as a
reformer.
In many ways he can be regarded as the most
original of modern Chinese political
philosopher. Considered a modern
revolutionary thinker
In his Book ‘Grand Union’ it is Cleary shown
that his radicalism is, not only directed
towards Chinese thought and tradition but it
goes beyond the stage of nationalism to a
stage of internationalism or world
government.
He strongly believed that the work of
reformation movement must be done in
China in order to trace back the true
doctrines of Confucius
He started a Reform Society at Peking in 1893
and instituted a school of new learning to
explain the people of china the real motives
of the reformers
Ong Tung Ho
Kuang Hsu was introduced to K’ang the
leader of the new reform party through Ong
Tung Ho imperial tutor. Who inturn got an
opportunity to present his reforms

The court was sharply divided

One section supported Empress Dowager -

’old Buddha’ as a mark of respect
other section supported the young emperor
Kuang Hsu
Encouraged by the urgings of the reformers
the Emperor announced the need for reform
by an Imperial Decree of June 11, 1898.

K’ang yu Wei and his important followeres

were appointed to advice the emperor.
Issue of the Reform Edicts 1898

Thus the Emperor subsequently issued in the

summer of 1898 a number of Reform Edicts
known as “Hundred Days of Reform”

These reform edicts as suggested earlier by

K’angYu Wei embraced almost all branches
of Chinese way of life.

China was to have a new order in which all

the nations would unite in a march to
progress
Educational Reform
Administrative reform
The political ideas of K’ang Yu Wei
Suppression of Reform Movement 1898
Reason for failure
Significance of the reform movement
Modern schools and colleges were to be
established in the big cities of very province

Establishment of University of Peking

Establishment of technical schools and

colleges

Introduction of practical subjects

Translation of the western books

The subjects for competing for academical
degrees were to be “a knowledge of ancient
and modern history and information in
regard to the present day state of affairs
with special reference to the government and
institution of the countries.
Administrative reforms
There was to be a complete re-organization
of the government
Useless government post were to be
abolished
New boards – agriculture, Commerce were to
be established
Official Gezette was to be published
Attempts were made to improve relation
between the centre and the province
June to September 1898 nearly 40
Reform Decrees ordering reforms were
published to remake old into new
The political ideology

K’ang was a supporter of constitutional

monarchy
He wanted to make china republic with a
nominal hereditary monarch where he would
not be better than ‘an idol in the temple’
possessing highest dignity

Follow the example of Japan – only means of

salvation
Eliminate corruption in the administration
and adopt western laws and reforms
The abolition of 6 profitable posts of
the Manchu idlers infuriated the
administrative officials who considered
it to be a direct blow against the
Manchus
Suppression of the Reform movement
It upset the Empress Dowager sought the
help of Yuan Shih Kai to capture the
reformers by force

On September 22 1898 the empress Dowager

again seized control of the government
through the coup

Stripped the young emperor of all powers

and responsibility by annulling his Reform
Edicts and turned him virtually a cipher until
his death in 1908
Reformers were captured killed
K’ang Yu-Wei escaped to Hongkong thence
to Japan . Thus only for one hundred days
the reformers wee enthusiastic to modernise
China
Leaders of the movement lacked
farsightedness
Ideas spelt in the Grand Union are a
testimony of the visionary character of K’eng
Young emperor was inexperienced
Emotionally unstable
Lacked experience of practical difficulties of
constructive reforms
Court was sharply divided
Lacked support
Changes were a great threat to the officials
including the royals
Common mass had no idea of reforms
Significance of the Reform
Inaugurated a new era of reforms
First attempt to westernize
Directed against the corrupt officials
Role of empress in suppressing the reforms
She saved they dynasty from the fall
His associates Liang Chi Chao became the
fonder of the modern Chinese liberal
tradition