古今之变：帝制终章与现代化迷思

This book deeply analyzes the tremendous changes China has undergone between ancient and modern times, revealing the complex historical context of China's transformation from ancient to modern. Professor Ma Yong explores Chinese history from 1894 to 1917 with modern concepts, yielding many insightful conclusions. The First Sino-Japanese War was a turning point in modern Chinese history. Before this war, China had experienced the Opium War and its subsequent brief difficulties. By the 1860s, with the rise of the Self-Strengthening Movement, China had essentially entered the path of modernization, achieving significant development in politics, economy, culture, and especially military strength. However, the defeat in the First Sino-Japanese War caused a "fin de siècle" panic among Chinese people, especially the elite, making the question of "where China is headed" a new hot topic. Various new ideologies emerged, and on the political front, a series of movements broke out, including the Hundred Days' Reform, Yuan Shikai's attempt to restore the monarchy, and Zhang Xun's monarchical restoration. This book provides a comprehensive interpretation of these ideologies and movements based on historical facts.