Limitations of the May Fourth Movement

• Blind criticism of Chinese culture:

  • The May Fourth Movement was filled with the spirit of discarding the old and taking on the new.
  • The intellectuals blindly criticized Chinese culture, especially Confucianism.
  • They blamed them for making China backward.
  • Yet, there were good elements of Confucianism, such as benevolence, righteousness and harmony.
  • As a result, the intellectuals failed to preserve the merits of traditional culture.
• Women's status was still low:

  • Even though some universities started to lift bans for admitting women students, the number of women attending educational institutions was shockingly low during the next three decades after the 1919 May Fourth Movement.
  • The few women who were able to attend school during the 1920s and 1930s were taught women's virtues, with the curriculum largely designed and guided by male teachers and administrators.
  • By late 1940, over 90% of Chinese women were still illiterate.
  • Women did not win suffrage until 1947.
• Democracy and science not rooted in China:

  • Although the May Fourth Movement promoted democracy and science, only a small group of leaders truly understood them.
  • Democracy and science sank into mere slogans in China.