Zuo Zongtang And The Sino-French War

The Sino-French War was the important war in the late Qing dynasty, although the war was lost, but it let’s undstood the efforts made by Chinese people who safeguarded national interests through the Sino-French War. In this war we have to mention to the role of Zuo Zongtang. In his later years, the Sino-French relationship was tense in the Vietnam problem. Before Sino-French War Zuo Zongtang made his efforts to support battlefront and anti-war actively; during the period of Sino-French war, Zuo Zongtang was the hawks; In view of the grim situation of the coastal defense in the Sino-French War, Zuo Zongtang planning for coastal defense actively, he put forward the suggestions to the Qing government. No doubt that the victory of the Sino-French War was inseparable to Zuo Zongtang’s efforts.This thesis is on the basis of previous study, focused on observation efforts of Zuo Zongtang in the Sino-French war, hopes from his words and deeds to know his impacts on the Sino-French War. This thesis will from the three parts to analysis of the Zuo zongtang and the Sino-French War.Part I:Zuo Zongtang strengthen the defense construction.before the Sino-French War. Before the outbreak of the Sino-French War, Zuo Zongtang made a plea for goverment to frontline, but failed, but he made his efforts to supports Cen Yuying and send Wang Debang to the front line to aganist french army. When Zuo Zongtang served as Liangjiang governor, in views of the painful lessons of40years ago, he strengthen to the defense the construct of Liangjiang, firstly emphasis on defensive construction, and reviewed the troops from Nanjing to Shanghai; secondly enhance the equipment, strengthen coastal defense and negotiate with Peng Yulin enhance soldiers boat, lastly believe the power of the people, creation of the Fisheries group, Zuo Zongtang selected more than10,000fisheries from Yangtze River coastal and incorporated them into the fisheries group in order to strengthening the coastal defense construction. Part II:During the Sino-French War Zuo Zongtang participate in anti-French.On September,1884the Qing government appointed Zuo Zongtang as the supervision Fujian Military Affairs, when Zuo Zongtang arrived in Fuzhou in December14th, he immediatly strengthen the Fujiang coastl construct, and establish Fish groups; October23, French blockade the Taiwan Strait, the ties between the Mainland and Taiwan almost lost, Zuo Zongtang planning assistance to Taiwan, sending Wang Shi zheng led "Ke Jing Military "crossing the strait enhance the Taiwan’s defense force. About the Jilong war, Zuo Zongtang according with Liu ao’reports,he thoughts that Liu Ming-chuan should be responsibility for that failed, aithonght Liu Ming-chuan believe that it’s a strategic retreat, Zuo Zongtang insist on Liu Ming-chuan should be punished.Part III:Zuo Zongtang’s views on the situation after the Sino-French War. Before the Sino-French War, Zuo Zongtang was realize that the important of Taiwan, after the war, Zuo Zongtang suggested to the Qing government that strengenth the coastal of Taiwan is very important. In view of the coastal defense grim situation, Zuo Zongtang proposed the construct of coastal defense strategy to the Qing government, Qing government adopted the Zuo zongtang’s ideal to enhance coatal defense later. The Navy Yamenestablished on October13,1885.The epilogue will make a summarize to the Zuo Zongtang and the Sino-French War, described the summary view, also comments on the Zuo Zongtang and the Sino-French War. Although Zuo Zongtang made his efforts in Sino-French War, but his efforts can not change the Qing government’s policy. There is no doubt that because of his efforts in the war, the Qing government restore to the "dignity".after this war Zuo Zongtang analysed on the situation of coastal defense, also spur the Qing government to enhance coastal defence.