The characteristics of reformists are: combining western political theory with traditional Confucianism, propagating the truth of reform and advocating constitutional monarchy. Promote the survival of the fittest with Darwin's biological evolution view, and advocate the establishment of a new school to learn "Western learning".

The characteristics of revolutionaries: taking the "natural human rights" and "freedom and equality" during the western bourgeois revolution as the ideological weapons of revolutionary struggle. Turn learning from books into revolutionary action. Combined with China's national conditions, the theory of western countries was developed into the Three People's Principles to guide the revolution.

Characteristics of the New Culture Movement: Slogans of "democracy" and "science" were put forward. Absolutely affirm western culture, and publicize Marxism in the later stage of the movement.