A brief introduction to Li Hongzhang's historical evaluation
Li Hongzhang is a representative figure in China's modern politics, military affairs and diplomacy. At home, Li Hongzhang suppressed the peasant uprising forces for the unity and stability of the country, advocated reform for the prosperity of the country, advocated accepting western culture and technology, and introduced foreign technology and advanced military and civil affairs. Abroad, Li Hongzhang advocated peace talks to appease the powers in exchange for China's stability in the world.
By the end of modern times, Li Hongzhang's influence had gradually increased. However, he was bound by the feudal empire and could not get rid of the limitations of westernization reform and failed to achieve his goal. Li Hongzhang gradually changed from a powerful country in the Westernization Movement to a rich country, and began to build state-owned enterprises for people's livelihood in the imperial court. The prosperity brought by the Westernization Movement was finally owned by only a few Manchu nobles.
The new wind brought by the Westernization Movement gave modern China the cornerstone of catching up with the great powers, liberated the people's minds to a certain extent, and promoted the success of the future revolution. Enterprises founded by the Westernization Movement, such as China Merchants, accelerated the economic prosperity of the southern coastal areas, and Hanyang Arsenal became an important force in the armed revolution in modern China.
The Qing government was at the mercy of the world powers, and Li Hongzhang, as an important minister in the westernization exchange, signed a series of unequal treaties with the powers to ensure the stability of the Qing dynasty, and the infiltration of the powers continued to increase. China was reduced to a semi-colonial and semi-feudal country by the Xin Chou Treaty signed by Li Hongzhang before his death, and the country was in chaos.
Li Hongzhang was a famous minister in Qing Dynasty, a traitor and a great reformer in the historical situation. Li Hongzhang's talent is outstanding, and the corruption in the Qing Dynasty greatly limited his display space. Shallow water and big boat make people feel awkward.
Brief introduction of Li Hongzhang's life
Li Hongzhang was an important official of the late Qing government during the Three Dynasties. He was known as a scholar in the cabinet (main hall) and internationally known as Li Tang Zhong. Born in a well-off family in Hefei, Anhui Province, he read through the history of Confucian classics since childhood and embarked on his official career by taking part in the imperial examination in adulthood. Compared with other students, Li Hongzhang's interpersonal relationship is far more important than his official position, such as his mentor Zeng Guofan.
During the Xianfeng period, Li Hongzhang entered the army for suppressing the Taiping Army. Later, due to the weakness of the Qing government in Jiangnan, he was ordered to form the Huai army. With Zeng Guofan's Xiang Army as the backbone, Huai Army continuously expanded its military strength by suppressing the peasant uprising forces such as Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and Nian Army. After the dissolution of Xiang Army, Huai Army remained the most elite troops in Jiangnan. This Jiangnan armed force became the basis for Li Hongzhang to have the right to speak in the Qing government.
During the Tongzhi period, Li Hongzhang and Zuo tried to carry out capitalist reform under the feudal monarchy, which opened the enlightenment of modern China's capital forces, founded the state-owned enterprises of the Qing government, and changed the attitude of the late Qing court towards modern science, military affairs and economy. During the Westernization Movement, the diplomatic department of the Qing government, mainly Li Hongzhang, once gained sovereignty before the great powers.
During the Guangxu period, Li Hongzhang began to form the naval forces of the Qing government, and the establishment of the Beiyang Navy represented the peak of the Westernization Movement. However, due to the decay of the political system, the Beiyang Navy, which was extremely backward in logistics supply, was wiped out in the Sino-Japanese War, which also marked the end of Li Hongzhang's half-life reform.
When Li Hongzhang was the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi in his later years, Eight-Nation Alliance launched a war of aggression against China, and Li was forced to Beijing by the fugitive government in the late Qing Dynasty. Li Hongzhang, who was seriously ill, lost his mind and body after signing the "Xin Chou Treaty" and died in Wenzhong and posthumous title.