Self-Strengthening Movement

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/self-strengthening-movement

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. When was Self-Strengthening Movement built?Zongli Yamen (foreign affairs office), arsenals, munitions factories, translation bureaus
2. What is the period of reform?Circa 1861-1895, late Qing dynasty
3. What is the core philosophy?Ti-yong (Chinese essence and Western techniques)
4. Why did China start the Self-Strengthening Movement?After wars and rebellions showed China was weak, leaders wanted to make the army and industry stronger to protect the country.
5. How did the movement help China make new weapons and ships?Officials built arsenals like the Jiangnan Arsenal and trained soldiers in Western-style drills, producing modern guns, artillery, and steamships.

Qing Dynasty: The last imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912.
Zongli Yamen: An official body established in 1861 to manage foreign relations and trade.
Ti-Yong: A philosophical concept advocating for the adoption of Western technology while preserving Chinese culture.
Imperialism: A policy where a powerful country extends its influence and control over weaker nations.