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🏓history of modern china review

Increased Military Capability

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

Increased military capability refers to the enhancement of a nation's military forces through modernization, expansion, and improved technology. This concept is crucial in understanding how nations seek to strengthen their defense and project power, particularly in response to external threats or pressures. Within the context of the Self-Strengthening Movement, this term embodies the strategies employed by China to bolster its military forces against foreign imperialist pressures and internal strife, aiming to restore national pride and sovereignty.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. The Self-Strengthening Movement (1861-1895) was initiated as a response to China's defeats by foreign powers, particularly in the Opium Wars.
  2. Key figures in the movement believed that modernizing military technology and adopting Western practices were essential for defending Chinese sovereignty.
  3. The establishment of arsenals and shipyards during this movement aimed to produce modern weapons and naval vessels to counter foreign threats.
  4. Despite some advancements, the movement struggled due to internal conflicts, corruption, and resistance from conservative elements within Chinese society.
  5. The failure to fully implement reforms resulted in continued vulnerability to foreign intervention, culminating in events like the Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895).

Review Questions

  • How did increased military capability reflect China's responses to foreign imperialism during the Self-Strengthening Movement?
    • Increased military capability was a direct response to China's encounters with foreign imperialism, particularly following humiliating defeats in conflicts like the Opium Wars. The Self-Strengthening Movement focused on adopting Western military technologies and techniques as a way to reclaim national dignity and protect sovereignty. This emphasis on strengthening the military illustrated China's recognition of its weaknesses in the face of external aggression and the need for a robust defense mechanism.
  • Discuss the successes and limitations of increased military capability during the Self-Strengthening Movement.
    • The movement saw some successes in establishing modern arsenals and shipyards which improved China's military production capabilities. However, significant limitations persisted due to internal political strife, lack of cohesive support for reforms, and inadequate funding. The resulting military modernization efforts were not comprehensive enough to compete effectively with more advanced foreign militaries, ultimately leading to significant defeats such as in the Sino-Japanese War. These shortcomings highlighted the struggle between modernizing influences and traditionalist resistance within Chinese society.
  • Evaluate how increased military capability during the Self-Strengthening Movement impacted China's position in international relations by the end of the 19th century.
    • By the end of the 19th century, increased military capability was a double-edged sword for China. While it aimed to assert sovereignty and counteract imperialist pressures, the movement ultimately fell short of transforming China into a formidable power. The failure of military modernization efforts led to continued foreign encroachment and humiliating defeats, diminishing China's standing in international relations. This situation contributed to further instability within China and fostered a climate ripe for revolutionary movements as public dissatisfaction grew over perceived weakness against foreign powers.