Century of Humiliation 03

The body of the charismatic Hong Shu was exhumed, cremated, and his ashes blown out of a cannon. The emperor secretly called a reformer and he said, "Sir, why do you climb a tree to catch fish?" Boxers believed in spirituality to a foolish extent and used to say that even a bullet does not affect us in a certain situation. Are you wiser than our ancestors? How dare the emperor refuse my ministers? The Manchu Empress built a marble boat with the money from warships that could not float even an inch. Exactly one hundred years later, when the emperor's hair was examined, it was found that he had been poisoned. The European powers obtained the official permission to sell opium from China to China at gunpoint. The last century is a black spot for China, which they call today the Century of Humiliation. How did China get out of the abyss of humiliation? Can we learn anything from this? This is the story we have to tell you. How are you, friends? I, Faisal Warrich. The Chinese emperor had crushed Hong Xiuquan's Taiping Rebellion, but his personality still held sway over central and southern China. Many considered him to be Jesus' brother and believed that he would return and establish a government. The Qing Army exhumed Hong Xiuguan's body and burned it, then its ashes were mixed with gunpowder and made into a ball and put it into a cannon and fired it into the air. The Qing Dynasty government did not want to leave any legacy of the so-called Holy Kingdom of Taiping. But while doing all this, the pride of the great Chinese Empire, the Mighty "Qinghua", was shattered. After losing the Second Opium War in 1860 to Great Britain and France, China had lost all its major ports and trade rights. At utter humiliation, it had made agreements with the European Powers, America and Russia on their terms. The worst irony is that China was even officially forced to buy opium. Although it was as good as destroying its future and the young generation with its own hands. 30 million Chinese were killed in both the Opium Wars and the Taiping Rebellion. Both the Qing royal court of the Manchu Dynasty and the Chinese intellectuals were worried about what was going on. Has time closed all the doors of success on us, or is our DNA just bad? This frustration and anxiety forced the Chinese elders to find the flaws in the system and make major changes, some reforms. This first reform package was called "Yang Wu Yongning" in Chinese, meaning Self-Strengthening Movement. These reforms were led by Prince Gong, a powerful guardian of the five-year-old Qing Emperor Tongzhi. He was joined by the philosopher-general Zeng Guofan, who crushed the Taiping Rebellion in China, and some other experts. The basic philosophy behind this Self-Strengthening Movement was that we cannot win from the Western nations, so we must learn from them, teach our worthy students English and French languages and then send them to their countries for learning arms making. For this, schools for learning foreign languages were opened in China for the first time, Such educational institutions were opened where European-made international trade and customs law were taught, although this law was biased and was made with a view of 100 percent benefit to the Western Powers. But fortunately or unfortunately, this was the international law that the Western Powers used to apply, so the Chinese started to learn and teach this law because knowledge of the law is a must to break the law. At the same time, modern Chinese institutes were opened where there were classes in physics, math, and telegraphy were held. It was also arranged that the Chinese civil service and education system should be changed in such a way that there are more practical subjects in it instead of the non-practical ones. For example, in the Chinese education system, emphasis was given to memorising difficult poems on Confucian philosophies and making beautiful calligraphy. A person who could memorise these long poems and philosophies was acknowledged as a scholar. He was also able to write them in different styles The Self-Strengthening Movement stressed on lessening this foolishness and more focus should be given to teaching practical things like from France and Britain, the skill to build ships, lay railway lines, building railway engines, etc. should be learned. It was decided to learn the art of making guns and cannons , and them emphasis was laid on setting up factories in China to manufacture these things. Similarly, factories for making cloth were also set up and the youth were sent abroad for training. A decision was also made on strengthening the basic agricultural economy, to cut down many taxes on this sector, and in many areas, taxes are abolished altogether. The success of the Chinese was that all these reforms were largely implemented. Meanwhile, another major change was also made in the Qing court. That is, until today, there has been no foreign affairs department in Chinese history. Because you saw in the first episode that the Chinese considered themselves the Middle Kingdom, "Zhongguo" and considered the whole outside world to be barbarians, savages. But, now for the first time, to learn and communicate with the outside world, the "General Management Office" was created in the court, which was China's first foreign affairs department. The Chinese had concluded that while maintaining their Chinese values, they would have to learn to make weapons from foreign countries to get control over them. General Zeng Guofan would say, "We will defeat the savages by learning from them the ways of the savages." Now, of course, this was impossible because the Western countries were not only powerful because they had good weapons, but because of the learning of science and politics that they had learned over the centuries. The entire political and business culture of the West had become such that it was marked by extreme competition and business rivalry, Almost a ruthless competition was in their institutions and among their individuals. This competition would refine them and give them an edge over the rest. Chinese scholars could not understand this secret. That is why considering weapons as the only main reason for their failure. But still, these first reforms were a big first stride, at least for them. Because this is how nations progress step by step. But the Chinese faced the biggest obstacle even in this first step. The old conservative mindset came in the way which disliked coming out of the hangover of China's greatness. This mindset was not ready to give up the anthems of its great past. It believed that it was not physics, math, or astronomy and technology that developed the nation, but the higher traditions on which China had been successful for thousands of years. Therefore, instead of slavery and the traditions of the savages, China still has to return to its past. The main power in this conservative class was the Empress Dowager "Cixi", the mother of the young Emperor Tongzhi. She was the most conservative but politically influential royal. She knew all the tricks of the power game and how to use them. She very cleverly took the position of guardian of the emperor away from a council, and confined it to her person only. She sat on the throne with the young emperor and undermined the reforms of her benefactor, Prince Gong. Prince Gong was her benefactor for installing the minor king on the throne and empowering the Queen, he had played a major role. But now the queen had forgotten this favour after gaining power. She was conservative She was not ready to give up old traditions and culture. She persistently opposed modernisation and attracted a powerful section of conservative aristocracy. In comparison, Prince Gong was no less powerful, but this rivalry between the elite class was preventing China from moving forward. Implementation of reforms was becoming more and more difficult. For example, when Prince Gong and his team started planning to connect Beijing with other cities through a railway line the queen forcibly blocked it. She had the logic that the train's whistle and engine noise would disturb the spirits of the great Chinese emperors. So the train project is an affront to Chinese majesty. Prince Gong and his team laid the railway line despite obstacles. Then, the regent empress Cixi created a new problem. She said that if a train is to be run, instead of a steam engine, the coaches should be pulled by horses, so as not to create noise. This was also not accepted. The empress tried new tactics against the reformers. The 30 million silver tales reserved for the degradation of the Chinese Navy, she spent on repairing the ruined palaces and other decorative jobs. The money allocated for the Chinese Navy ships was used by her on building a grand marble boat which had the whole bottom built on one piece of marble. This boat was so heavy and decorative unable to float on water but the empress spent more money on it to erect a two-storey superstructure of a cabin on it. Prince Gong and his reform team were faced with difficulties step by step that they constantly struggled with. Reformists and Conservatives were in a tug-of-war in China, when two wars were imposed on China. In the Century of Humiliation, China suffered severe embarrassment. Now, what were these two wars? In 1884, French forces invaded China and China did not have a modern navy to face the French. The attack was carried out because France had colonised Vietnam, a Chinese ally , and the Chinese were arming the Vietnamese fighting against the French forces. So France directly attacked the Chinese state of Fujian to stop China. The Chinese Navy could not compete and sank nine of its ships in less than an hour. When the Chinese Navy was unable to compete in Fujian , the rest of the Chinese regional fleets were so disorganised that they could not even come to the aid of their own Navy. This battle exposed the Chinese Qing Navy, its military capability in such a way that it became another medal of insult in the Century of Humiliation that was decorated on the chest of the proud Manchu Dynasty in China. China also had to lose its ally Vietnam because it had also become a French colony and the Chinese influence in it was also eliminated by France. Ten years before this incident, China had learned a lesson. It should have upgraded itself when Japan invaded China in 1875 and defeated it humiliatingly. China had to pay the ransom on Japanese terms. The main reason for failure in this short war was that China had not yet updated its navy. After both defeats, it should have updated its naval fleet anyway. But unfortunately, even after repeated defeats, China had not learned any lesson. Just 19 years later, in 1894, Japan attacked again. This time, Japan also captured Taiwan and all the small islands connected to it. The people of Japanese descent that you see in Taiwan today, who call themselves separate from China, settled here during this period. Because China, after this humiliating defeat, surrendered, on Japanese terms, its most important strategic island to Japan. Well, friends, before the second defeat by Japan, the 19-year-old Emperor Tonghzi apparently died of smallpox in 1875. Although this emperor was a young ruler of 19 years, but he would listen more to Prince Gong. He started supporting reforms. That is why it became known that the empress poisoned her son to death. Because after that, the empress, for the sake of keeping the power in her hands, declared her husband's brother's four-year-old son "Guangshu" as emperor. This meant that once again, the royal council that elects the emperor was sidelined. The motive behind making such a young child emperor was that Empress Cixi wanted to remain de facto ruler as regent Dowager Empress for many years She wanted to stop reforms at any cost. That is why the death of her 19-year-old son remains doubtful to date. That is, it was believed he was poisoned to death. Because he had come of age, he did not need any need a regent or guardian. Empress Cixi had removed all reformers before the coronation of the new emperor. Prince Gong had left the court with his team. The first intellectual attempt to drive China out of the abyss of humiliation had failed. However, during this time, Chinese intellectuals had learned that, unless political changes are brought about superficial reforms could not succeed. China cannot make progress only by learning Western technology. For this, the whole system needs to be changed. All political hurdles must be removed which hinder the modern industrial economy and the education system. This thinking took root in China that the imperial system must be brought into a constitutional framework, like in Japan. A monarchy would have to be established, where the emperor would only be the patron and the power of decision-making would be with the elected representatives. Chinese intellectuals and several senior court officials began to work on it. Time passed, and it came the year 1898. In this year, the minor Guangshu became a young man of 27 years of age. He had no need for the patronage of the empress Cixi anymore. However, Empress Cixi was still powerful enough to appoint the ministers and control all power levers. The leading progressive reformist scholar, "Kang Yuewei" was constantly seeking permission to meet with the emperor and present a super plan. But he was not getting permission to visit the emperor's court. Can you figure out who was the biggest obstacle in the way? Obviously, the regent, the Dowager Empress. Poor Kang Youwei continued to make attempts to meet, and finally in January 1898, he was summoned by Emperor Guangshu for a private meeting. Both had a historic meeting and a conversation to be remembered for a long time. During this conversation, the young emperor repeatedly looked to his right and left to see if the empress was hovering around. That is, if she was getting a clue about them. However, Kang Youwei was a famous modern reformist scholar and a target of conservatives. So this historic conversation took place between Emperor Guangshu and Kang Youwei, the full details of which were written and preserved in the court. Briefly, in this meeting, the emperor asked Kong "Why did the previous reforms fail?" Kang Youwei said it was due to half-hearted efforts. We only laid stress on buying weapons and made no effort to upgrade our system. When the fact of the matter is, the strength of Westerns is in their education and system. The emperor said, I want reforms, and want to know how can make reforms possible with the obstacles in my way? Kang Youwei said, Your majesty, the people you are trying to make reforms, are old and have conservative ideas. They do not know the requirements of the new era and the new world. The dream of making China great with their help is like climbing trees to catch fish. The emperor agreed with the ideas of Kang Youwei and said, of course, I also think that we are teaching our people things that have nothing to do with the practical world, while the Western powers are imparting practical knowledge to their officers to pave the way forward for them. Kang Youwei went on to say that if you wish the system of writing wasteful, long letters can be abolished in the civil service. The emperor then said, You are right. Send me your detailed suggestions in writing. If you ever need an appointment during this time, you can have it. That was the end of the meeting. This meeting is said to be the longest recorded meeting of a Chinese emperor with any scholar in history. It went on for five hours. Curious fellows, Kang Youwei, along with his disciples, in the next few weeks, sent several drafts of the reforms to the emperor. The king largely agreed with them and with minor changes, these radical modern Western-style reforms were enacted on June 11, 1898. It was the second attempt in 40 years to bring China out of the abyss of humiliation through reforms. This reform package dispensed with the traditional boring system of civil service. Of this, the non-practical stuff, long poems and the drudgery of writing essays, were done away and it was shaped into a maximum practical curriculum. The Western Scientific Syllabus was released in educational institutions. It was decided to adopt a constitutional monarchy by giving constitutional form to the monarchy. It was decided to set up industries rapidly and many principles of capitalism were adopted to strengthen the economy. Instead of hiring important officials from only a few families, a system was created to hire competent people. In order to involve the people in all important decisions, a ground-level system was evolved to consult people in the cities and villages. In this system, people would give suggestions in writing. These suggestions would reach within 24 hours to the relevant officer of the concerned department. With the office holder who was hired for the same job. To keep people informed of the political situation in the country, China's first newspaper, the Daily Newspaper, was ordered. The government started building modern schools, hospitals and business centers. Friends, this and many other very modern and grassroots-level changes were initiated. Today, these reforms are called the 100 Days' Reform. Among the reformists, the youth were enthusiastic about the idea that they were improving themselves. But the old radical elements and their leader, Empress Cixi, in her 60s, were not ready to sit quietly. Although she should have retired by now, but she was the oldest and most seasoned power player in the court at that time. She soon realised that the powers she had in a constitutional monarchy would be stripped away. She, along with his supporters, hatched a dangerous plan and got Emperor Guangshu arrested. Yes, on September 21, 1898, when these reforms were only 103 days old, they were stopped. News spread that the emperor was afflicted with a fatal disease and needed treatment and rest. Saying this, the emperor was removed from the scene and he was detained on an island, and the reformists began to be rounded up and killed. The reforms were undermined by terming them a betrayal with their elders and China. Cixi decreed, "Whatever China is today, it is because of our ancestors. How dare you change our basic system? How can Kang Youwei be more important than my chosen ministers? How can Kang Youwei's laws be superior to our ancestors? What greater ignorance and folly can there be than turning our backs on the traditions of our elders? All that she said while pointing to the emperor and his reformist team. In such a situation, Kang Youwie, who was her first target, he, along with his disciples, escaped to Japan for their lives. His books and writings were banned in China. His books in the house and houses were declared an act of treason. The old Empress Cixi again took over the role of regent. By foiling the second reform, she, in fact, had committed such a historic blunder which is an unpardonable offence by nature. Because when reforms are not carried out with the change of time, and are continuously not done, then an accident takes place. It is commonly called a revolution. And that revolution may not necessarily bring about a positive change. However, the revolution does thrash out the old system and conducts a ruthless surgery on society. This was all going to happen with China. Because the conservatives failed the 100 Days' Reform which, in fact, was tantamount to inviting a revolution. And for this, she committed another dangerous mistake. She held the Western powers for all their failures, and declared war on their citizens. For this war, the Empress allied with the groups of Northern China, who were willing to go to any lengths to protect the ancient Chinese traditions and the martial arts. They were commonly known as Boxers who were also stuck in the past, like the Empress. They, too, believed the railway lines and modern means of transportation would riddle the spirit of the Chinese. They believed that the repeated famines and floods in China, are due to the anger of the gods. Boxers would also tell their followers that even the bullets could not affect them. The majority of the Boxers were peasants or their kids who were poor and had never experienced civic life. On they belonged to areas where anger was found against the foreigners for spreading Christianity in China. They are preaching and setting up churches. It was an extreme nationalist movement that enjoyed the support of the Empress, a part of the army and the Boxers. At the same time, a map added fuel to the fire that was much discussed in China and also shown in the Western states The map showed how the Western Powers wanted to divide China into five parts to share among themselves. Empress Cixi met some of the top boxer leaders, including the famous Number One Boxer Cheng De Ching. Along with him was a loose force of 18,000 men who were from different regions and under different leaders, but all of them had the same goal to drive the foreigners out of China. This force attacked all foreigners living in China, their settlements and churches. Chinese converts to Christianity were especially targeted. Foreigners' houses and offices were set on fire. In this regard, the "Legation Quarter" of the diplomatic area of Beijing received historic value. It was a reasonably built town with a wall around, but it was not a proper fort. Only it was a "walled enclave". There were residences for around 900 foreigners, churches, international offices and embassies, etc. Around 3,000 Chinese who converted to Christianity also lived here. On January 20,1900, Boxers attacked the area with the help of some of Empress Cixi's soldiers. Many people, including the German ambassador, were killed in the first assault. But after some time, the foreign residents of the legation quarter formed fronts with the help of rifles and some other available weapons. Boxers armed with swords and spears were not able to go very far compared to rifles. Cannons were needed to break through the defence of the foreigners, and those were not with the Boxers. It was quite possible that the full force of the Manchu army, under pressure from the empress and the Boxers, would have sided with them and killed all the foreigners in the enclave. But this terrible accident was prevented by a Chinese general, Ronglu, with great political skills. For 55 days, Manchu General Ronglu lingered on the matter with Empress Cixi and the Boxers , and did not let the big guns fall into the hands of the invaders, until help arrived for the foreigners. On August 14, the 8-nation alliance made a combined force and entered Beijing. Before this army entered, the imprisoned Emperor Guangshu and the elderly Empress Cixi had gone into hiding with their loyalists in the city of Xi'an, 1100 kilometres from Beijing. It was China's oldest capital, and for that reason, the Empress chose it for exile. Did this city save the Qing emperor? When the eight-nation alliance arrived in Beijing, what did it do with the boxers? What did the cunning Empress Cixi do one day before her death that the proof of which was found exactly after a century? Did you know that he was actually a Christian doctor whose movement, the Kuomintang, ended the Qing Dynasty? How were the final moments of the 2,000-year-old Dragon Throne? If you are curious to know all this, you must watch the next video. For now, you need to watch our series from the beginning to know the start of China's Century of Humiliation. For that, you touch here. See here who the four greatest leaders of modern history are and here, know, the secret of living for a thousand years.