Chinese Students Study The Early Twentieth Century

In the first three decades of the twentieth century between4,371to5,886Chinesestudents traveled to the United States of America for a foreign education.①Thesestudents were in search of the technological and institutional know-how necessary tomodernize a country mired in domestic and international strife. This study examines thelives and thought of these individuals during their time as students; an exceptionallyformative and impressionable period of their lives. Chapter1provides an overview ofthe historical context in which the students were born, raised, and studied—both inChina and in America. This chapter also outlines the transitional aspects of the students’generation which differentiated them from the previous generation’s intellectuals.Chapter2provides demographical statistics, such as gender distribution, socioeconomicbackground, majors, and distribution across America. It also touches briefly on thestudents’ academic preparation for pursuing a foreign education, their journey toAmerica, and funding. Chapter3looks at the students’ lives in America inside andoutside of the classroom, emphasizing how the students adjusted to life in America,assimilation, and recreation. Chapter4analyzes the various global discourses thestudents participated in while studying in America. In particular, this chapter closelyexamines years1912to1922of The Chinese Students’ Monthly, the main periodical inwhich Chinese students in America wrote to express their opinions and grievances regarding various international and domestic issues. The issues discussed here includethe students’ attitudes towards America, Japan’s seizure of Jiaozhou and presentation ofthe twenty-one demands, World War One and the Paris Peace Conference, the fate of theRepublic of China, Yuan Shikai’s monarchical movement, and China’s post-Yuan civilwar. One theme which persisted throughout this decade was the idea that education wasthe means to achieving national salvation. Chapter5briefly summarizes the impact thestudents had on China upon returning, highlighting the challenges they faced uponreturn, the careers paths they took, and their salaries and benefits.