What was the primary objective of the May Fourth Movement?

• A. To promote traditional customs
• B. To establish a monarchy
• C. To advocate for modernization and reform
• D. To maintain Confucian values

Answer: (C)

The primary objective of the May Fourth Movement was to advocate for modernization and reform in China. Emerging in 1919, this movement was a response to the perceived failures of the Qing Dynasty and the Wuchang Uprising, alongside the humiliation of China at the hands of foreign powers after World War I.

Intellectuals and students were at the forefront, stressing the importance of science, democracy, and a departure from the rigid traditions that had held China back. They sought to address various social, cultural, and political issues, pushing for a new national identity that embraced modern values over the confining structures of the past.

The May Fourth Movement is closely associated with the call for a national awakening, and its influence permeated literature, politics, and education. It challenged traditional Confucian norms and led to the birth of modern Chinese thought, including the rise of new political ideologies and movements that aimed to reshape China into a more vibrant and progressive state.