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"On the Adoption of Western Learning," ca.1860
"On the Adoption of Western Learning," ca.1860
Thesis: Powerful empires responded to the New Imperialism through government-sponsored actions.
BACKGROUND: In the aftermath of Qing defeat in the Opium War (1839-1842) and the Arrow War (1856-1859), a number of Qing officials put forth and put into action proposals meant to increase the empire’s military strength by adopting Western military and industrial technology and other Western techniques—also known as the Self-Strengthening Movement . Feng Guifen (1809-1874) was one of the leaders of this effort. Feng was a classically educated scholar who had a successful career as an official in his own right, but also as an advisor to the leading Qing statesmen of the mid-nineteenth century. In the essay from which the following excerpt was taken, Feng discussed Western learning and its role in the Qing Empire:
…Today the world is 90,000 li [measurement about 1/3 mile] around. There is no place boats and vehicles do not travel or human power does not reach….According to Westerners’ maps, there are at least one hundred countries in the world. Of the books of these hundred countries, only those from Italy from the time of the end of the Ming and from present‑day England, numbering in all several tens, have been translated. …
Books on mathematics, mechanics, optics, light, chemistry, and others all contain the ultimate principles of understanding things. Most of this information is unavailable to people in China. …
I have heard that with their new methods the Westerners have found that the movements of the earth conform closely to those of the heavens. This can be of assistance in fixing the calendar. … I have heard that the Westerners’ method of clearing sand from harbors is very effective. … This can be of assistance to keep the water flowing. Also, for agricultural and sericultural [silk farming] tools, and things required for the various crafts, they mostly use mechanical wheels, which require little energy but accomplish much. …
There are many intelligent people in China. Surely there are some who, having learned from the barbarians, can surpass them …
The principles of government are derived from learning. In discussing good government, [the famous historian] Sima Qian said, “Take the later kings as models,” because they were closer to his own time, and customs, having changed, were more alike, so that their ideas were easy to implement because they were plain and simple. In my humble opinion, at the present time it is also appropriate to say “Learn from the various nations,” for they are similar to us and hence their ways are easy to implement. What could be better than to take Chinese ethical principles of human relations and Confucian teachings as the foundation (ti), and supplement them with the techniques (yong) of wealth and power of the various nations?
Textbook Background
Textbook Background
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