The earliest educational reform in modern China was Westernization Movement, also known as self-improvement movement and tongzhi reform. It was an industrial movement initiated by Westernization officials from the end of Qing Dynasty to the end of Qing Dynasty based on the development of "learning from foreigners to control foreigners". "Self-improvement by learning from foreigners' skills" and "Seeking wealth by learning from foreigners' skills" are the campaign slogans and goals in the early and late stages respectively. From 186 1 to 1895, this movement lasted for about 35 years. Westernization Movement was the first large-scale national industrial movement in the west of China in modern times, which took place under the background of feudal imperial power. The Westernization Movement introduced a large number of western science and technology and various western books and documents, trained a group of children studying abroad, and opened the door to western learning. Learning the modern enterprise system will bring a large number of industrial and chemical enterprises to China and help China to embark on the road of industrial development and modernization. However, China at that time could not escape the failure of the Westernization Movement. As the Qing navy was wiped out in the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, which dealt a heavy blow to the confidence of the upper class of the Qing court, the Westernization Movement came to an abrupt end.

The Westernization Movement brought China modern banking system, modern postal system, new education (new learning), new army (Manchu new army), new ideas (republic), railways, heavy industry (mine iron works) and other achievements that influenced later generations. It has brought China closer to the world in cultural exchanges, business contacts and science and technology. The institutions and systems established during the Westernization Movement can still be seen today, such as postal system, telecommunication system, railway system, China Merchants, Jiangnan Shipyard and Bank of Communications.

The Westernization Movement lasted for more than 30 years, until the Sino-Japanese War broke out in 1895, when China was defeated by the Japanese, and its key project, beiyang fleet, was completely annihilated. The Westernization Movement ended and finally failed. Li Hongzhang summed up his life in his later years: "I have been doing things all my life, training and the navy are paper tigers." How can I really put it down, but I can barely draw it, which is superficial and perfunctory for a while. "