Cult of Science
● Impact from 4 May Movement - not confined by politics
● First ¼ of 20th century for China was a time of ‘intellectual revolution, reference of
interest in Western ideas offered solution to the country’s besetting problems
● Was encouraged by Chen Duxiu and Li Dazhao for students to challenge the
Confucian-dominated ideas of traditional Chinese scholarship
● Pure theory - seldom attractive to radical Chinese scholars, looking for practical
answers to real problems, attracting them to Western science - experimental method
and applied research produced the Industrial Revolution
The Nationalists (GMD) under Sun Yatsen 1912-25
In what ways did Sun Yatsen shape the GMD in this period?
- Focus on how he developed GMD, what were his ‘three people
principles and his successes in the GMD?
Sun Yatsen and Japan
● Not all Japanese were happy with the Japanese domination of China, with a small
minority believing that genuine liberation of Asia from foreign control required Japan
and China to act together in common anti-Western policy
● Sun felt at home with Japanese thinkers around, but were never numerous enough to
influence Japan’s policy at a national level
● Prevailing view in Tokyo was that the chronic weakness of China called for a policy of
exploitation, and not cooperation
● Japan continued to be a haven for exiled Chinese revolutionaries, and Sun had time
to develop further his ideas and plans for revolution
The Guangzhou government
● In 1917, Sun returned to China, setting up a rival government in Guangzhou
(Canton), in an attempt to challenge the republican regime in Beijing, with only limited
success before moving to Shanghai
● In wake of 4 May Movement, railed sufficient support to be able to declare in 1919
that the Guomindang (GMD) had been reformed
● One of Sun’s major achievements was persuading many expatriate Chinese
(Chinese living abroad, most in Singapore, Malaya and Indonesia) to contribute funds
to his newly formed party
● Many who had been ‘lukewarm’ to Sun after the defeat against Yuan Shikai in 1912,
now pledged support to Sun. Leading to Guangzhou to become the main southern
base for the GMD
● Guangzhou was where Sun developed the ideas and organisation which enabled the
GMD for the next 5 years of his life, to then become the dominant force within
Chinese politics for the next ¼ of a century
● Impact from 4 May Movement - not confined by politics
● First ¼ of 20th century for China was a time of ‘intellectual revolution, reference of
interest in Western ideas offered solution to the country’s besetting problems
● Was encouraged by Chen Duxiu and Li Dazhao for students to challenge the
Confucian-dominated ideas of traditional Chinese scholarship
● Pure theory - seldom attractive to radical Chinese scholars, looking for practical
answers to real problems, attracting them to Western science - experimental method
and applied research produced the Industrial Revolution
The Nationalists (GMD) under Sun Yatsen 1912-25
In what ways did Sun Yatsen shape the GMD in this period?
- Focus on how he developed GMD, what were his ‘three people
principles and his successes in the GMD?
Sun Yatsen and Japan
● Not all Japanese were happy with the Japanese domination of China, with a small
minority believing that genuine liberation of Asia from foreign control required Japan
and China to act together in common anti-Western policy
● Sun felt at home with Japanese thinkers around, but were never numerous enough to
influence Japan’s policy at a national level
● Prevailing view in Tokyo was that the chronic weakness of China called for a policy of
exploitation, and not cooperation
● Japan continued to be a haven for exiled Chinese revolutionaries, and Sun had time
to develop further his ideas and plans for revolution
The Guangzhou government
● In 1917, Sun returned to China, setting up a rival government in Guangzhou
(Canton), in an attempt to challenge the republican regime in Beijing, with only limited
success before moving to Shanghai
● In wake of 4 May Movement, railed sufficient support to be able to declare in 1919
that the Guomindang (GMD) had been reformed
● One of Sun’s major achievements was persuading many expatriate Chinese
(Chinese living abroad, most in Singapore, Malaya and Indonesia) to contribute funds
to his newly formed party
● Many who had been ‘lukewarm’ to Sun after the defeat against Yuan Shikai in 1912,
now pledged support to Sun. Leading to Guangzhou to become the main southern
base for the GMD
● Guangzhou was where Sun developed the ideas and organisation which enabled the
GMD for the next 5 years of his life, to then become the dominant force within
Chinese politics for the next ¼ of a century
