What was the self-strengthening movement?

The Self-Strengthening Movement (1861 – 1895) was a period of reforms in the late Qing Dynasty following the Opium Wars.

Following the devastating Opium Wars, China realised that it had to strengthen itself against Western powers and make peace with the West. They decided to introduce Western technology and education, raising troops and promoting military and economic reform. The reforms can be summarised in this simple description: "Chinese learning at base, Western learning for use."

The Self-Strengthening Movement blended Chinese cultural traditions with Western industrial technology. They industrialised by building railroads, shipyards, weapons industries, steel foundries and founding academies.

Unfortunately, they did not introduce enough industry to make significant change, and they encountered difficulties when political leaders complained that the Western curriculum would interfere with Confucian values. Empress Dowager Cixi (who greatly opposed anything foreign and was against the reforms) became more powerful as well, influencing the public's opinion on the matter.