TSR Wiki > Study Help > Subjects and Revision > Revision Notes > History > Situation Before 1900
Situation before 1900
- Subversion by foreign powers
- Sino-Japanese War of 1894-95.
- Destruction of China's navy and army by Japan in the war
- Annexations
- Russia, Germany, France and Britain all gain concessions
- Nominally, authority lies with Manchu emperor Guangxu in Beijing. In reality, authority lies with Empress Dowager Cixi.
- Cixi remained in power through:
- Harsh repression
- Collusion with "foreign devils"
- Economic and Political Reforms
- 1898 Manchu Government launches 100 days reforms
Reforms
- Civil service
- Education
- Industry
Reasons
- Reform so as to counteract western influence
- Buy off critics
Reaction
- A faction under Cixi takes control, appalled at reforms.
- Guangxu forced to renege on reforms
- Reformers executed, dismissed, or sacked.
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