As mentioned in my research essay, the New Culture Movement is the product of a given age, so the background information is particularly important. What directly or indirectly caused the movement would be found on this page.
(Picture comes from Internet)
History Background
From the end of 19th century to the beginning of 20th century, the entire China and Chinese bore the tribulation from the problems that the last fedual dynasty Qing left: the invasion of imperialist countries and the pressure from ineffective unstable government. It is because the incapable and craven but greedy ruling class that then China was descended to the subject bullied by foregin powers. During that time, patriots with lofty ideals kept initiating insurrections to save China from dire straits. They belileved that only totally changed system and ideology can make it. Their rebellions never be considered successful absolutely but China was really improved from each of them step by step. The New Culture Movement was one of them and it was the gentlest but effective one.
China's internal and external troubles and main Revolts by time:
In 1894, China was still ruled by feudal Qing government. Japan invaded China and Korea, and it was named as First Sino-Japanese War.31,500 Chinese and 1,132 Japanese died. The old photo shows one of battles- Battle of Yellow Sea. In this war, China's unenlightened weapon, science, technology and system were exposed.
(Pictures comes from Internet)
(Pictures comes from Internet)
In 1898, Hundred Days' Reform started and it aimed to appeal to learn science from Western countries and to improve political system, which was objected by conservative Empress Dowager Cixi. Then, the reform ended in failure in 103 days. Picture is "six leading reformers of Hundred Days' Reform" and they were killed by Conservatives.
(Picture comes from Internet)
(Picture comes from Internet)
In 1900, the International Legations launched the war of aggression against China for the sake of protecting embassy area and the foreigner in China. Yet, they raped Chinese women, looted possessions of ordinary people and killed Chinese. Besides, they destroyed Chinese historical relics. In 1901, in order to subside conflict, Qing government agreed to sign the Boxer Protocol of national betryayal and humiliation, which made China lose sovereignty.
* Because of redundant indemnity that the treaty prescribed, the USA government agreed to return part of it and to order China to use it to send Chinese students study in USA. One of significant members of New Culture Movement- Shi Hu was in the list of it.
(Picture comes from Internet)
The Revolution of 1911 successfully made the last emperor of Qing resign and the over several thousand years of feudal monarchy be abolished. Picture is the main leader Zhongshan Sun who advocated democratic republicanism and was the first provisional president after the revolution.
* The second provisional president was ShiKai Yuan who was one of main attacking subjects in the New Culture Movement.
(Picture comes from Internet)
Shikai Yuan was the second provisional president after the Revolution of 1911. In 1913, he became the official president. Yet, he tried to restore monarchy. He held Confucianism in esteem since the previous fedual dynasties of China were builed on it. In 1912, he issued "Regulation of Recitfying Ethics". He said that "Ethics is the most important. Only if we comply with it, our people are people; our country is country". The "ethics" he mentioned was the fedual code of ethics. What he did made public stay away from the democratic ideology. Between 1912 to 1916, he published maginzes to advertise Confucianism. In 1916, he became the emperor. After 83 days, he was abolished by the force of National Protection War.
In the Autumn of 1899, the Boxer Rebellion broke out. It was organized by people from different classes. The picture shows the members. The civil group desired to resist foregin power in China, which also presented that Chinese at that time did not trust Qing government. Many innocent Chinese and foreginers including missionaries were killed. The Boxer Rebellion turned to be an absurdity, which directly resulted in the Siege of International Legations.
(Picture comes from Internet)
In 1915, the New Culture Movement began. It was led by a group of scholars, and was regarded as a movement to remold Chinese national character. Its range was not limited by literature, culture but also contained politics.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Socioeconomic Background
(Picture comes from Internet)
During WWI, imperialistic states somewhat ignored China. Chinese national capitalism developed briefly. The capitalists required to build a more free economic environment under a democratic regime, which was impossible for the Yuan's government.
*This was deemed as the basic reason of the New Culture Movement by Chinese textbook. Even though scholars and businessmen had different aims, they asked for the same thing.
**Yet, it is hard for me to regard it as a root cause.