1. Zeng Guofan

Zeng Guofan (November 26, 1811 - March 12, 1872), originally named Zicheng, also given the courtesy name Bohan, nicknamed Disheng, and the sage Zengzi Seventieth generation grandson. A modern Chinese statesman, strategist, Neo-Confucianist, writer, and the founder and commander-in-chief of the Hunan Army.

2. Li Hongzhang

Li Hongzhang (February 15, 1823 - November 7, 1901), whose real name was Zhang Tong, also had the courtesy name Jianfu and Zifu [fú], and his nickname was Shao. Tsuen (formerly known as Shaoquan), who in his later years called himself Yisou and also nicknamed Shengxin, was born in Hefei, Anhui Province. He was a famous official in the late Qing Dynasty and one of the main leaders of the Westernization Movement. People in the world often call him "Li Zhongtang". Because of his second behavior, the people also call him "Mr. Li Er".

3. Zuo Zongtang

Zuo Zongtang (November 10, 1812 - September 5, 1885), Han nationality, with the courtesy name Jigao, Pu Cun, and the nickname Farmers from Hunan. A native of Xiangyin, Hunan. An important minister of the late Qing Dynasty, a strategist, politician, a famous general of the Hunan Army, and one of the representatives of the Westernization Movement. Together with Zeng Guofan, Li Hongzhang and Zhang Zhidong, he is known as one of the "Four Famous Officials of the Late Qing Dynasty and ZTE".

4. Zhang Zhidong

Zhang Zhidong (September 2, 1837 - October 4, 1909), named Xiaoda and Xiangtao, was the governor at the time. He was called "Shuai", so people at that time called him "Zhang Xiangshuai". A famous official in the late Qing Dynasty and a representative of the Westernization movement in the Qing Dynasty, he was born in Xingyi Prefecture, Guizhou, and his ancestral home is Nanpi, Zhili.

Extended information

Zeng Guofan, Li Hongzhang, Zuo Zongtang, and Zhang Zhidong were all representatives of the Westernization School during the Westernization Movement of the Qing Dynasty. The main purpose is to take "Chinese learning as the body and Western learning as the application" as the principle. The main representatives in the central government are Manchu clan aristocratic officials represented by Prince Gong Yixin and Guarjia Wenxiang.

During the Sino-Japanese War of Sino-Japanese War, the Beiyang Fleet was completely wiped out, and the Westernization Movement also went bankrupt. The Westernization Movement occurred in the special historical stage of modern Chinese society when the old and new changed. It was a failed self-rescue movement of feudal rulers. The subjective purpose of the Westernizationists was to maintain feudal rule rather than lead China to capitalism.

It did not make China rich and powerful, but the introduction of advanced Western science and technology enabled the emergence of the first batch of modern enterprises in China. The Westernization Movement accumulated production experience and cultivated technical strength for modern Chinese enterprises, objectively promoted the emergence and development of China's national capitalism, and opened the way for China's modernization.

Baidu Encyclopedia - Zeng Guofan

Baidu Encyclopedia - Li Hongzhang

Baidu Encyclopedia - Zuo Zongtang

Baidu Encyclopedia - Zhang Zhidong

Baidu Encyclopedia-Westernization Movement