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Li Hongzhang, a prominent statesman and military strategist of the late Qing dynasty, is a controversial historical figure. He played a non-negligible role in China's modernization process, however, his life was full of brilliance and controversy. This article will delve into Li Hongzhang's life and deeds, as well as the many controversies he caused during and after his death.
Reinventing History: The Greatness and Controversy of Li Hongzhang
Li Hongzhang, as an outstanding politician and military strategist of the late Qing Dynasty, carried great changes in Chinese history in his life. However, there have been mixed reviews of this historical figure.
Some regard him as one of the great figures in modern Chinese history, while others question his policies and decisions. In any case, Li Hongzhang was born in Anhui Province and was the founder of the Huai Army and a promoter of the Western Affairs Movement. His life was closely linked to military affairs and achieved excellence, but it was also accompanied by controversy.
In the era of the outbreak of the Taiping Rebellion, Li Hongzhang deeply realized that traditional weapons could no longer compete with Western-style weapons, which prompted him to realize the urgency of modernizing armed forces. As a result, he founded the Anqingnei Armory and created the powerful Beiyang Navy, making China one of the most powerful navies in Asia.
Under the impetus of the foreign affairs movement, China has made tremendous progress in the fields of industry and military, and has made indelible contributions to the road of national modernization.
However, Li Hongzhang is not without its shortcomings. In the Sino-French War, when the Qing army was in an advantageous position, he took the initiative to seek peace with France, missing a potential opportunity for victory and leading to more French advantages in Vietnam. In the Sino-Japanese War, the Beiyang army led by him failed to fully demonstrate its strength and was eventually defeated by Japan. In addition, he embezzled government funds during the foreign affairs campaign, and the poor quality of Austrian guns purchased damaged the reputation of the Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau.
Li Hongzhang's death did not end him perfectly. In 1958, during China's Great Leap Forward, Li Hongzhang's grave was incorporated into the area of a steel factory, sparking widespread outrage and controversy. At that time, people harbored a deep hatred for the Qing government and regarded Li Hongzhang as a traitor. As a result, some people launched a grave-digging operation to publicly display the body of Li Hongzhang, who had died for more than 50 years, an act supported by some activists but widely condemned.
Regarding Li Hongzhang's treatment, two completely different attitudes have emerged in society.
Some expressed sympathy and regret for him. After all, before his death, he wrote the verse "The dust of overseas is still unsettled, and the princes do not wait to idle", expressing his concern about the country's danger. Although he made mistakes, he made great contributions to the economic recovery of late Qing society and the protection of territorial security. As a result, he was given the title of Taifu by the Qing Dynasty, the nickname "Wen Zhong", and generous gifts. His death was a great loss to the Qing government, and it also made people full of emotion for this great hero.
epilogue
Li Hongzhang's life is full of brilliance and controversy.
His foreign affairs campaign brought modern progress to China, but he also made mistakes in some decisions. After his death, his tomb was dug up and subjected to controversial treatment, reflecting the resentment of the Qing government and mixed feelings towards Li Hongzhang at the time. Li Hongzhang's life experience presents an image of a great man full of human brilliance and dark side. It is precisely because of his existence and efforts that China has been able to embark on the road of modernization, which is a history that we must not forget. Through his historical evaluation, we can also better understand the development and evolution of modern Chinese history.