During the 10 years from the founding of Shi Jing University to Cai Yuanpei's appointment, especially in the five or six years after Cai Yuanpei took charge of the Ministry of Education, it cannot be said that Peking University has not made progress, but its progress is limited after all, and it has not broken away from the old pattern of feudal learning, so that before Cai Yuanpei took over, he thought Peking University was "notorious" and had some concerns. In his inaugural speech, he pointed out: "Every outsider who accuses our school of corruption in order to study here has the idea of being an official and making a fortune. Therefore, those who graduate from the preparatory course will enter the law department, and few will enter the liberal arts, especially the science department. Taking Fake is also a shortcut to the south. " 12 Therefore, students don't concentrate on their studies at school, but concentrate on their power and reputation, waiting for their diplomas. Obviously, how can such students, such as Peking University, set an example and make a difference? If this situation is not fundamentally changed, I am afraid that even if the Paris Peace Conference and Shandong issue occur later, it is hard to imagine that there will be a May 4th live drama that shocked the world.
The reason why Peking University had such high prestige and such a great role in the May 4th Movement was that it was not created out of thin air, but the result of the innovation and new culture movement led by Cai Yuanpei. It is the combination of the two that makes it possible for Peking University to stage a new scene in history in the face of the sudden news of the Paris Peace Conference.
For Peking University, the most unforgettable thing is not the May 4th Movement itself, 13, but the deeper source and more essential spirit that enables Peking University to naturally adapt to social and historical needs. This deeper and more essential spirit is formed by the joint efforts of all teachers and students of Peking University elite group headed by President Cai Yuanpei for many years. It is of far-reaching significance to Peking University and even the whole China cultural society, and it is a more precious tradition and spiritual wealth of Peking University. In order to show the background of its formation, it can of course be referred to as the May 4th tradition for short. However, as a special historical event, the May 4th Movement can only specify, express or develop some aspects of this tradition and spiritual essence, but not all of them. In the past, it was often inappropriate to replace the whole with parts and the general with special ones.
Cai Yuanpei's innovation and the new culture movement he supported are the deeper source and more essential spirit of the May 4th Movement and the later development of Peking University. This requires people to keep thinking and discussing, but judging from the relationship between Peking University and the May Fourth Movement and its role in this movement, Peking University has indeed formed a new quality at this time, and it has indeed possessed the conditions to become the belief center of people in academic, ideological, cultural and social activities. This condition, I think, is mainly the following aspects:
(A) "high" and "big", science and democracy.
What does Cai Yuanpei want to make Peking University look like? What is its ideal goal? What is the calibration he wants to determine? In short, I think it is both "high" and "big". The so-called "high" refers to the moral, intellectual, physical and aesthetic standards of the school, especially the academic level; The so-called "big" mainly refers to the inclusiveness of various talents and academics. Combining the two organically was the standard and school-running mode pursued by Peking University at that time, and it was the position it wanted to establish in China and the world.
The predecessor of Peking University, because it is a national Taixuetang. On the height, of course, it can also be said to be unique. However, Cai Yuanpei's desire for the height of Peking University does not mean this, but its academic level is high and deep. In his inaugural speech, he first proposed to "keep the purpose", which is "the essence of the prophetic school". He emphasized: "A great scholar is a person who studies profound knowledge." 14 therefore, it should never be a training center for officials and businessmen, nor should it be a general college that only obtains certain work and health care skills. According to this standard, Cai Yuanpei searched for suitable teachers, recruited suitable students, planned the design and construction of disciplines, and carried out a series of reforms, training and cultivation. His goal was to build Peking University into a world-class university. This world-class level, according to the standards he has visited and is familiar with, is first comparable to Berlin University.
In order to achieve this goal, he said, "I accept all kinds of theories according to the common practice of universities in various countries and the principle of freedom of thought." This is the most fundamental condition and guarantee for the university to be big and Peking University to be big. Cai Yuanpei said: "No matter what kind of school, if it makes sense, it will not reach the fate of natural elimination. Even if the two are at odds, let them develop freely. " 15 Cai Yuanpei's policy and practice of pursuing profound knowledge and fully and freely developing talents and schools is also the most practical embodiment of scientific and democratic principles in school education. It is also great that Cai Yuanpei practices professor-run school and student autonomy in the management of the whole school, instead of focusing on one thing and monopolizing power. It is absolutely impossible to leave the true spirit of science and democracy. Therefore, "high", "big", "science" and "democracy" are actually the school-running standards of Peking University and the fundamental source of its lofty status during the May 4th Movement.
(B) a sound struggle personality
Before Cai Yuanpei, Peking University was criticized for the loss of personality of some people in the contemporary world. Paying attention to shaping the new personality of Peking University is an important content of Cai Yuanpei's innovation and new culture movement. Its basic characteristics, in short, are perfection and struggle. The so-called "health", first of all, is to resist and eliminate feudal legacy and bad habits. The so-called "comprehensive" is to adapt to and meet the needs of knowledge, emotion and meaning in modern life. In this regard, Cai Yuanpei has been working hard.
In his inaugural speech, Cai Yuanpei asked students to strengthen their purpose in life and correct their interest in life. At the same time, he asked them to "sharpen their virtues" and resist eliminating all kinds of vulgar and self-deprecating thoughts and behaviors. First of all, he overcame taking promotion and wealth as his purpose in life. He said: "The first thing we need to reform is the concept of students." That is, let students really understand: "College students should take academic research as their bounden duty, and should not take universities as the ladder for promotion and wealth." 16 He asked students to "restrain themselves and love themselves" and "set an example and try to correct vulgarity". "Not practicing morality, not learning morality, as vulgar, as in line with the world, as contemptuous, so more moving." 17 He thinks: "Scholars should be interested in studying knowledge, especially cultivating their personality." 18 so he initiated the establishment of the "Jindehui". Take the three precepts of "no whoring, no gambling and no concubines" as members of Class A; In addition, the second ring that is not an official or a member of parliament is the second member; Plus, as the third member, don't smoke, drink or eat meat. Cai Yuanpei believes that this can not only "trap itself", but also "thank others" and "stop slander" 19 This is the most important thing for establishing the image of Peking University in society and restoring its reputation.
In terms of requiring teachers and students to be "healthy", the "Jindehui" is already very strict. But if it is limited to this, it will inevitably be dry and negative, which will not be pursued by most people for a long time, nor can it fully reflect the meaning of life and the needs of modern society for people. Therefore, Cai Yuanpei strongly advocates aesthetic education and other noble cultural and sports activities and social activities in order to achieve the unity of health and integrity.
Compared with Cai Yuanpei, the new culture movement based on New Youth pays more attention to the positive and radical aspects of youth personality shaping. Its essence is basically "struggle". It requires young people to emancipate their minds and personalities and "get rid of the bondage of husbands and slaves in order to complete their independent and free personality." It emphasizes that young people should "make meritorious deeds and distinguish this first." Otherwise, everything is an ornament on slaves. According to this fundamental standard, guide young people to criticize their own ideology and culture, dare to break all feudal traps and resist power. As Lu Xun said: "Peking University often struggles with the dark forces, even if it is only itself." 2 1
(3) Open a new and upward style of study.
Cai Yuanpei's academic requirements for Peking University are "high" and "big" in space and "new" in time. He always repeatedly stressed that "scientific research" and "it is the main purpose of our school". For this purpose, "always say it once a year at the beginning of school" means "learning for the sake of learning". He stressed: "Professors and lecturers should not only teach, but also miss every opportunity that is beneficial to their own research, so that their knowledge can be constantly updated and kept alive." In order to make Peking University "constantly updated" academically, he encouraged people to ensure spiritual progress. He once said: "Students should have both practical and patient spirit and lively and enterprising spirit in school. With the first spirit, there is invention and creation. There is also a second spirit. The interests are unmoved, the containment is not affected, and we are committed to the preparation of invention and creation. " He asked students to learn from the strengths of France, the United States, Britain and Germany and "cultivate" this spirit. 24
It is not difficult to draw a conclusion from the achievements of New Youth, Peking University Monthly, New Tide and Nation during this period. This is the most glorious representation of Peking University's academic character. As Lu Xun said: "Peking University will always be the pioneer of the new reform movement, and it is necessary to make China walk on a good and upward road." He even said: Although Peking University has suffered from "many conspiratorial attacks" and "gossip", the teachers and students have changed little by little year, and "the upward spirit has always been the same, and it is not necessarily relaxed." The academic state that Cai Yuanpei is most opposed to is "focusing on oneself, supplemented by guarding the disabled". The literary revolution, ethical revolution and political and ideological revolution in the New Culture Movement all originated in Peking University.
(D) Groups with individual consciousness
Saving the country requires gregarious; The rise and fall of a country depends on collective governance-this is a question that some explorers have long raised at the beginning of this century. However, it is a pity that they have not found a better way to solve this problem.
190 1, Liang Qichao thinks: China people "can only be autocratic again, but can't enjoy freedom." He took the Chinese Guild Hall he saw as an example, saying that there are only two situations in which it meets and discusses: First, "the upper class has power, don't break your word, everyone can only promise." This is called a meeting, but it is actually a notice, not an order. "Such a group is the deformation of autocracy. On the other hand, on the contrary, it is not the "dignitaries" who control everything, but some "hooligans" who "shout" so that nothing can be done. This is another form of "mob tyranny". With these two situations, where can China have a truly modern sense of collective governance? Liang Qichao thought: "Those who scatter sand must have the virtue of being unsociable." But how to solve it, he thinks, "the virtue of gregarious" means "taking a body as a group and always willing to take a small body as a group" and "always willing to take a small group as a group". It certainly seems reasonable to solve the problem of state power simply by "concentrating on the group", and some countries have done so, and it has had a sudden and violent effect. This is naturally fascism in the 20th century. In fact, the purpose of education in the Qing Dynasty is to put "loyalty to the monarch" and "respect for the people" together. You can imagine what kind of "group" it is.
The governance concept of Peking University Group cultivated by Cai Yuanpei and New Youth has pushed this concept and practice to a new era, and its core is to build this group on the basis of individual consciousness.
It is an important part of Cai Yuanpei's educational thought to attach importance to the development and consciousness of human personality, and to the cultivation and training of people's group concept and group habit ability. In fact, due to Cai Yuanpei's advocacy or support, a series of modern organizations have emerged in Peking University. For example, the "New Youth" group was invited to Peking University from Shanghai as soon as it took office. Since then, various associations (including various associations, etc. ) like mushrooms after rain. For example, in March, 19 17, lectures and councils were established; In April, the thrift association was established; 1 1 month, set up a student bank; In February 65438, calligraphy research society, sports meeting, novel research society, oral talent and professor society were established. 19 18 1 month, Jindehui was established; In February, painting research society, music group and aesthetic society were established; In July, the Press Research Association and the National Salvation Association were established; In June 5438+00, the Health Society was established; In February, 65438, Weekly Review was published, ethnic magazines and trendy clubs were established, the National Federation of Colleges and Universities was prepared, and consumer communes were established. 1919/month, the staff club was established after class; In February, a fitness club was established; A lecture group on civilian education was established in March; In April, the American Alumni Association was established; Wait a minute. As can be seen from the incomplete materials listed above, before the May Fourth Movement, in just over two years, Peking University was a school-wide organization (some of them were beyond the scope of the school, and non-school organizations were not listed here). What a warm scene it had been! This kind of scene would have been impossible if it had not been for the rejection and criticism of feudal cultural absolutism and the upsurge of scientific and democratic ideas. And the emergence of all these groups is not based on what "self-defeating" first. On the contrary, it is based on human liberation and individual consciousness. It is precisely because of this that these groups have vitality and vitality. No matter how long they exist, they have played different roles in new education, new culture and training new talents.
Among the student organizations in Peking University, the most influential ones established before the May 4th Movement were the National Society, the trendy society and the civic education lecture group, all of which were supported by Cai Yuanpei. Cai Yuanpei prefaced the publication of Ethnic Magazine. He believes that according to the "obligation" of Peking University students, they are "learning" and their vocation should be "learning advanced knowledge", so this publication should not be run. However, it is "forced by patriotism" to engage in the cause of ordinary citizens at the expense of their study time and energy. At that time, most people were indifferent to state affairs, while some "powerful people", that is, the rulers in power, adopted "mourning for the country every day", so they could only rely on a few patriotic students to struggle at this time. In other words, this is entirely from the students' personality consciousness. Cai Yuanpei told them to "associate students' personalities", that is, (1) is correct; (2) purity; (3) broad. In the "wide", Cai Yuanpei put forward: "To accumulate small groups into large groups, the interests of small groups must be based on the interests of large groups. "The standard of interests of large groups is neither the authority of a leader, nor the interests of a special group, nor even the interests of a country, but the humanitarian principles and ideals consistent with the country. He said: "I hope the National magazine will not advocate extremely selfish nationalism. "Because nationalism is what Germany has just failed to pursue.
In Cai Yuanpei's educational thought, it is more important to cultivate students' consciousness, self-reliance and autonomy, rather than simply obeying and disciplining. After the May 4th Movement, the Beijing warlord government always put the suppression of students in the first place, shouting to "rectify the style of study". Even so, when the school started in 1920, Cai Yuanpei paid special attention to "encouraging everyone to be autonomous", "setting an example" and "behaving properly". "Everyone can manage themselves, and classmates can also manage each other. Don't be managed by supervisors and housekeepers as before. " Fundamentally speaking, Cai Yuanpei advocates "the independence of universities". He believes: "Education is to help the educated, to develop their own abilities, to improve their personality, and to contribute to human culture; You can't turn an educated person into a special tool and be used by people with other purposes. Therefore, education should be completely entrusted to educators, with independent qualifications and not influenced by political parties or churches. " He emphasized: "Education should be equally developed in personality and group. Political parties want to create a special group and erase individuality. Education has far-reaching influence; The political party's policy is to strive for immediate success. Therefore, education must be divorced from all political parties. " 3 1
From the perspective of Peking University, all the societies in this period were combined on the basis of individual full consciousness, which reflected the balanced development of individuals and groups. This is also the special and valuable place of Peking University's community. This character is one of the important conditions for being able to withstand the storm and take on the heavy responsibility during the May 4th Movement.
After forming the above basic characteristics, Peking University played a special role in the May 4th Movement, which should be said to be natural.
Third, the center and leading position of the May 4th Movement.
Cai Yuanpei's innovation in Peking University and the New Culture Movement he supported were not only for the needs of the May 4th Movement, but also for the long-term development of China. However, the sudden May 4th incident did show some achievements of Peking University's innovative new culture movement. In a word, the relationship between Peking University and the May 4th Movement is the center and leader of this movement. This position of Peking University was formed by history and proved by practice. Here, this paper can only outline some of its main points.
(1) Before the May 4th Movement, Peking University had established its position as the first violinist in China's ideological and cultural circles and education circles.
After several years of hard work, before the May 4th Movement, Peking University had become the real highest institution of higher learning and ideological and cultural center in China. There are not only unparalleled first-class principals here, but also first-class enlightenment thinkers, cultural elites and famous professors. Among the students, there are also some elites. Their achievements have produced great centripetal force and appeal to the people of the whole country through publications such as New Youth, Weekly Review and Trendy.
(2) Before the May 4th Movement, Peking University had carried out two ideological, cultural and political movements.
1. Defeat the attack of the old forces represented by Lin Qinnan.
19 19 In March, Lin Qinnan attacked Peking University's innovative new culture movement, and Gong Yan Ri Bao and Shenzhou Daily also made rumors. This is the counterattack of feudal conservative forces against Peking University's innovative new culture movement. Cai Yuanpei immediately gave a strong refutation, and 32 intellectuals from all over the country also gave support. Finally, the attack was wiped out, the momentum of the New Culture Movement was increased, and the society's trust in Peking University was improved.
2. The first large-scale student patriotic petition movement had an impact on imperialism and warlords.
19 18 In May, in order to oppose Duan's conclusion of a traitorous military agreement with Japan, a delegation of students studying in Japan, Li Da, Gong Debai, contacted Deng Zhongxia at Peking University, and Peking University took the lead in organizing more than 2,000 students to petition the President and the Prime Minister. Although such a large-scale petition did not achieve its goal, it was itself a preview of the May 4th Movement the following year.
After the petition failed, Xu Deheng, Deng Zhongxia, Yi Kekui and others continued to carry out more extensive and in-depth publicity and organization work. They set up a "student patriotic group". Because the word patriotism was considered narrow and backward at that time, it was changed to "student national salvation group". They founded the magazine Nation, edited and published the publication Nation, and clearly put forward: "enhancing national personality", "inculcating national common sense", "researching academics" and "advocating domestic products". They also sent contacts with Yijin, Han, Jiu, Ning and Shanghai, and almost all the active figures in the student community joined together, and even contacted Sun Yat-sen and Feng Yuxiang. 19/kloc-in the spring of 0/9, Peking University established the Student Union, and the "Student Salvation Corps" joined it and became the backbone of it. This actually made important organizational preparations for the May 4th Movement.
(C) the role of the May 4th Movement
Peking University has always been in the center and played a leading role in the May 4th Movement. This position and role is irreplaceable by any other school or group. Here is just a brief mention of the essentials.
1, the earliest expression of China people's firm stance.
Shortly after the opening of the Paris Peace Conference,1965438+On February 5, 2009, more than 2,000 students from Peking University gathered in the auditorium of the Law Department. Roll call 10 officers on the spot to unite students from various schools. They called five envoys from China to attend the peace conference, "asking them to stick to the previous discussion and not to give in." 33
2. The earliest initiator of the movement
After the news of the failure of the Paris Peace Conference on May 1 2, the national magazine decided to plan and organize a "five-year plan". Seven "demonstrations. On May 3, Xu Deheng learned from President Cai Yuanpei that the State Council had ordered the China delegation to sign at the Paris Peace Conference, and immediately made an appointment to attend the meeting of representatives of various factions of the National newspaper at the West House of Peking University. Cai Yuanpei personally spoke, saying: "The great powers have acknowledged Japan's unreasonable demand to seize many rights and interests in Shandong, and our government will be forced to sign a peace treaty. If this is unfortunate, the future of the country is unimaginable. "The meeting decided to hold a general meeting of all students in the auditorium of Peking University Third Hospital on the evening of the 3rd. At that time, Beijing Normal University, Engineering College, Medical College, Law School, Agricultural College, China University, Chaoyang Law School, Huiwen School, Republic of China University, Railway Management School, Tax Specialized School, Senior Police Officer School and other 12 schools will also send representatives to participate. Liao, a law student, will be the chairman, and liberal arts students will be responsible for drafting the declaration. Xie, a law student, bit his middle finger, tore off his skirt on the spot and gave it back to four universities with blood. The atmosphere of the meeting was very tragic. After Shao Piaoping reported the situation, the students scrambled to speak, forming a pledging mobilization meeting. It was decided to hold a demonstration in front of Tiananmen Square on May 4, and then prepare separately overnight. Obviously, if Cai Yuanpei and the students in Peking University hadn't reacted so quickly and violently, at least the May 4th demonstration wouldn't have started.
3. Organize and direct assembly and procession, and spread the voice of justice.
The rally and procession of more than 3,000 people in front of Tiananmen Square was conducted by Fu Sinian of Xinchao Society. At the meeting, the Declaration of Beijing Student Circle drafted by Xu Deheng was read and adopted, and more than 10,000 copies of the Notice of All Academic Circles in Beijing drafted by Luo Jialun of Xinchao Society were distributed along the way. The "Declaration" said: "As for the survival of the country, the division of land, the problem is tight, and its people are still unable to make up their minds. The last rescuer is a despicable species in the twentieth century and has nothing to say to mankind. Are there any compatriots who can't bear the suffering of slaves, cattle and horses and are eager to save them? It is important to hold a national assembly today, give an open-air speech and insist on electricity supply. Those who are willing to betray the country and commit adultery will eventually be dealt with, and pistol bombs depend on it. " The proclamation said, "The land of China can be conquered, but it cannot be destroyed! People in China can kill, but they can't bow their heads! The country is dead! Compatriots, get up! " In fact, these two materials, led by Peking University, issued the strongest voice to express the will of the people of the whole country.
4. The initiator of the national movement
In order to publicize the patriotic movement to the whole country, the Beijing Students' Union elected Peking University students Xu Deheng and Huang Rikui as representatives to publicize their appeal in Tianjin, Jinan, Nanjing and Shanghai. On May 2 1, representatives of students' federations from all over the country held a mass meeting in Longhua Stadium. Xu Deheng and others said at the meeting that various liaison meetings were set up after the meeting. On June 6th, Shanghai's business, learning, industry and newspapers held a joint meeting, at which Xu Deheng reported the situation in Beijing. The industrial and commercial circles here finally "all went on strike and joined the academic circles." It means "never look back".
On June 9th, at the initiative of Peking University, the preparatory meeting office of the National Federation of Students was established in Nanyang Business School, Jing 'an Temple Road, Shanghai. On June 16, the inaugural meeting was held in the East Asia Restaurant Auditorium of Shixian Company. There are 1 1 student representatives in Beijing, among which Peking University has three representatives, namely Xu Deheng, Huang Rikui and Duan Xipeng. Since then, student federations have also been established in various places.
5. The embodiment of indomitable strong will and fearless sacrifice spirit.
Because Peking University is a "military unification", it is the main target of repression and persecution by the Beijing government. The most vicious thing is to force the headmaster Cai Yuanpei away. Teachers and students of Peking University not only show the strong will to "crack down on evil", but also show the unshakable determination to uphold Cai and "protect goodness". They have seen through the conspiracy of the reactionary government, and are not afraid of the threat of murder and arson by the reactionary government's military police, guns, bayonets of cavalry, the instructions of the reactionary government, prisons and courts, torture, hunger and all kinds of torture, and have truly achieved "power and unyielding" to truth and justice. In the suppression of reactionaries, Peking University suffered the greatest pain and sacrifice. For example:
Among the 32 people arrested on May 4th, there were 20 students from Peking University.
In the speech on June 3rd, 170, 80 students were arrested, and students from Peking University accounted for 70% to 80%.
Guo Qinguang, a 24-year-old liberal arts preparatory student, took part in the parade in spite of illness, and was injured by the military police and vomited blood to death. These are outstanding examples.
However, with the support of all walks of life in China, Peking University finally won the May 4th Movement, and the ideological and cultural achievements of the innovation of Peking University led by Cai Yuanpei and the new culture movement advocated by New Youth were further consolidated and developed in the May 4th Movement. Peking University students who were baptized in the May 4th Movement played an extraordinary historical role in China in the 20th century.