Self-Strengthening Movement

Common card · No. 222061

The Self-Strengthening Movement, also known as the Westernization or Western Affairs Movement (c. 1861–1895), was a period of reforms initiated during the late Qing dynasty following the military disasters of the Opium Wars and Taiping Rebellion. These defeats exposed weaknesses in Qing military and administrative systems, prompting efforts to strengthen the state. These reforms included efforts across diplomatic, military, economic, and educational sectors. In 1860, China's defeat in the Second Opium War and the successes of the Taiping Rebellion forced the imperial court to acknowledge a crisis. In 1861, Prince Gong and Grand Councilor Wen Xiang proposed establishing an office to direct foreign affairs. Prince Gong was made regent, Grand Councilor, and head of the newly formed Zongli Yamen (a de facto foreign affairs ministry). Local Han Chinese officials such as Zeng Guofan established private westernized militias in prosecuting the war against the rebels. Zeng and his armies eventually...

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