Page 46 - A Re-examination of Late Qing Dynasty Porcelain, 1850-1920 THESIS

edicts known as the Hundred Days Reform. Copies of Guangxu’s reforms held by the

British Library reflect the young emperor’s desire to Westernize and develop a

modernized China. Guangxu hoped the edicts would address some of China’s ancient

traditions such as imperial examinations, which promoted studying early philosophies

and religious texts, and replace them with more modern learning styles. These edicts

instituted policies that promoted Western industry, medicine, commerce, and science.

Along with these modifications, the edicts also changed the established Qing laws and

military and government positions. Ultimately, the edicts were met with mixed reviews

since many conservative members of the court did not believe the Chinese state and

social system required revision. The tension resulted in a division between the emperor

and Cixi. Conservative forces gathered behind Cixi and instigated a countercoup in

22
1898. The tactic was successful. The empress dowager imprisoned her nephew in his
palace and repealed the reforms he had put into effect.

The conservative group that opposed Guangxu’s reforms organized itself into a

society known as the Yihetuan Movement 義和團運動. The group was more commonly

known as the Boxers, and by 1900 Cixi had offered them her support. The Boxers were

anti-foreign, anti-Christian, and ultimately anti-Western. Organized mobs gathered in

northern China to attack foreign embassies and missionaries. These violent actions

cemented Cixi’s xenophobic tendencies in the historical record and offer scholars

evidence of her anti-Western and anti-modern sentiments. The Boxer Rebellion

backfired: eight countries counterattacked and occupied Beijing in response to the

22 Mair, Chen, and Wood, 196. One of the individuals who supported Cixi during this event was
General Yuan Shikai. The level of his importance within the countercoup is varied based upon
sources.

7