The Warlord Era

After the death of Yuan Shikai in 1916 China would enter the Warlord Era. The Warlord Era, which lasted from 1916-1928, was a period were a lack of strong centralized government meant there could be experimentation in the realm of education. World War I provoked strong feelings of nationalism within the Chinese populace. It was also during this chaotic Republican Era that institutions would gradually develop and mature albeit through an unconventional Western approach. These universities were finally able to achieve a balance between Chinese nationalism and its ability to be successful in the modern world. Beijing University would emerge as China’s preeminent institution in education for its longevity and innovative philosophies introduced

Duiker explains that Cai was “ a product of Confucian scholarship. He represented his conduct and beliefs by the finest conduct of the Confucian Gentleman.” Confucianism was clearly a force that shaped his worldview. He refused to accept the Confucian obligation of an individual being a passive recipient rather than an active participant in society when students would have to read the same classical texts. Cai would latter criticize the Confucian Examination system in his book Xuetang Jiaoke Lun (On School Curriculum) were he

Cai believed in the efficacy of self- motivated social actions to improve the conditions in which we live. Cai served as supervisor of the Shaoxing Chinese East-School starting in 1898 . He cultivated the progressive views of his faculty and students to become self aware of western educational institutions. Cai quit the position after he had to display the imperial decree on royal behavior. Cai strongly believed instructors should have independence in their own classrooms. He believed that each classroom should be instructed differently based on their needs, his refusal to obey order prompted him to leave. After serving as superintendent of the Shaoxing Chinese Western School until 1902, Cai served in other various administrative educational positions(president of Chinese Educational Association in Shanghai). He assumed a teaching position at the Nanyang Public School. After leading a demonstrative role in an active student protest, Cai mobilized students who were expelled after the protest and founded the Patriotic School for students who were dismissed from Nanyang. This protest from the Nanyang Public School showed that people were alienated from the Confucian tradition in modern times, and the legitimacy of the Qing Dynasty was greatly declining in the eyes of the Chinese citizens. Cai Yuanpei’s advocacy of anti- imperialism and anti sentiment toward the Qing Dynasty