New Popular Movements (1915-1917) Flashcards
Who is Cai Yuanpei and what was his contribution to the New Culture Movement (1910-1920)?
He was Beijing University’s chancellor and was an advocate for free thinking and attracted brilliant and intellectual staff to work under him. This in turn transformed Beijing Uni into a hub for like-minded intellectual thinkers.
Who was Chen Duxiu what was his Contribution to the New Culture Movement?
He was the founder of the lliterary journal, New Youth, which became an influential forum for the discussion of new ideas, and was at the forefront of the vernacular language drive. He was also one of China’s founding Marxist thinkers.
Who was Lu Xun and what was his contribution to the New Culture Movement?
He was an author who wrote several short stories criticising Confucian values, portraying it as outdated and morally bankrupt. Written in baihua, Lu’s writing inspired others to break with classical literary traditions.
What was the key goal of the New Culture Movement?
It sought to create a new cultural identity for China.
What aspects of the old culture did reformists reject?
Confucian values
Complicated and incomprehensible writing of academic and literary works
Exploitation by imperialist powers
What were the proposed reforms?
Baihua
Democracy
Marxism
Anarchism
Feminism
Nationalism
Darwinism
Socialism
Liberalism
Western Science
What event caused the May 4th demonstrations?
China’s poor treatment in the Treaty of Versailles
What were the long-term effects of the May 4th demonstrations?
Radicalized by anti-imperialist sentiment and embittered towards their treatment on an international level, the May 4th movement spurred many to turn to the ideals of Karl Marx.
How did the May 4th Movement contribute to political change?
It disillusioned the young intellectuals from the liberal views of the west, instead turned to the Soviet Union for their inspiration.
Which group of people did the May 4th Movement appeal to and why?
Young intellectuals
Leading members of the New Cultural Movement
How did the May 4th Movement promote Chinese nationalism?
It was caused due to China’s unfair treatment in the Treaty of Versailles, where Germany’s former settlements in China were given to Japan instead of being returned to China because of a backhanded deal.
The May 4th movement was a movement to protest this action, with the boycotting of Japanese goods and strikes from workers.
