The Westernization Movement has two slogans. They are "self-improvement" and "seeking wealth". Among them, "self-improvement" is the slogan of the first stage of the Westernization Movement, and "seeking wealth" is the slogan of the second stage of the Westernization Movement. No matter what the slogan is, the fundamental purpose of the Westernization Movement is to consolidate the rule of the Qing Dynasty by learning western technology.

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In the early days, the die-hards were also very dissatisfied with the activities of the Westernization School. The reason why the Westernization School dared to carry out the Westernization Movement against the wind in Longlin was not afraid of being obstructed or even attacked by the die-hards. Mainly because, after the impact of two Opium Wars and domestic people's uprisings (mainly the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Movement and the Nian Army), the Qing rulers felt the crisis of survival for the first time.

Zeng Guofan, Li Hongzhang and others, who started from suppressing the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom movement, experienced the strength of western countries and tasted the sweetness of the ship. Therefore, they decided to learn advanced western military technology and strengthen their own military strength in an attempt to quickly quell the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom movement.

Because they are not as stubborn as die-hards and hate all foreign things, they are willing to deal with foreigners, although the purpose is to learn their military technology. West Renye Fang hoped that the Qing court could have a group of people who could deal with them. The appearance of Zeng Guofan and others made them feel that their ideas had a foothold, so they pinned their hopes on them.

Empress Dowager Cixi, who was frightened by foreigners, did not dare to offend foreigners at all, while Zeng Guofan, Li Hongzhang and others were backed by foreigners and really made great contributions in the process of suppressing the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. Empress Dowager Cixi may depend on them in the future, so she dare not make a move on them.

More importantly, Empress Dowager Cixi also hoped to suppress the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom movement at an early date and maintain and consolidate her rule. Moreover, in the process of seizing the supreme sovereignty of the Qing Dynasty, she was supported or acquiesced by western countries, so she dared not offend them easily.

Therefore, when the activities of the Westernization School did not threaten their own interests, Empress Dowager Cixi at least acquiesced in the activities of Zeng Guofan and Li Hongzhang. However, during the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, Cixi misappropriated beiyang fleet's military expenditure, which prevented the Beiyang Navy from updating its new warships and artillery, resulting in its total annihilation. Let the Westernization Movement go bankrupt directly, which shows that the reform cannot be carried out casually and needs drastic measures.