Self-Strengthening Movement

The Self-Strengthening Movement was a late 19th-century Chinese effort to modernize the country by adopting Western technology and military practices while maintaining traditional Confucian values. It aimed to strengthen China’s defenses, economy, and infrastructure through selective modernization, such as building factories, establishing modern schools, and updating the military. Although it achieved some progress, it was limited by internal resistance and political challenges, and ultimately failed to fully modernize China, leaving it vulnerable to external pressures and invasions. The movement reflected China's attempt to balance modernization with cultural preservation during a period of foreign influence.