The Westernization Movement, also known as the self-help movement, lasted from 186 1 (the end of the tenth year of Xianfeng) to1894 (the 1960s to 1990s of19), which was launched after the signing of the Beijing Treaty in the Second Opium War. According to different goals, the Westernization Movement can be divided into two stages: the early stage and the late stage. In the early days of the Westernization Movement, officials of the Westernization School in the Qing Dynasty held the slogan and purpose of "learning from foreigners to control foreigners" and launched industrial movements nationwide. Later, the civil industrial sector added the slogan of "seeking wealth". After the two Opium Wars and the failure of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Uprising, two camps of "Westernization School" and "Die-hards" were formed in the upper level of the Qing court. Officials of the Westernization School, represented by Li Hongzhang, Zeng Guofan, Zuo and Zhang Zhidong, advocated learning from the industrial technology and business model of western powers, and developing modern industries through government-run, government-supervised business-run, and joint venture between government and business, so as to acquire powerful military equipment.

Although the Westernization Movement failed, it also made some achievements, which affected the future development of China. Westernization resisted commodity exports and stimulated Chinese national capitalism. During the Westernization Movement, China introduced western learning to promote his open mind. The introduction of western technology opened the modernization of China. The establishment of Wentong Library has trained many talents, and students studying abroad have acquired skills. These students have a certain knowledge of western science and technology, which will be of great help to the future development of China.