From Revolution to Reform: Reorganizing The Emancipation and Reconstruction Semi-monthly and the Progressive Orientation of the Liang Qichao School

Abstract: Founded by Zhang Dongsun in 1919, The Emancipation and Reconstruction Semi-monthly was popular and influential during the May 4th Movement. Emancipation, as in the title of the journal, pointed to holistic and confrontational destruction, and therefore the journal took a revolutionary stand against modern Western civilization, traditional Chinese civilization and existing regimes, advocating complete transformation on the basis of “emancipation” from status quo. At the meantime, with a mandate to discuss and promote socialism, the journal was preoccupied with doctrines rather than the study and solving of real problems. However, upon returning from Europe in 1920, Liang Qichao and Jiang Baili among others took over and reorganized The Emancipation and Reconstruction, and renamed it The Reconstruction. To reverse the revolutionary tendency under Zhang Dongsun, the journal abandoned the destructive and bellicose spirit of “emancipation” and adopted a progressive method of transformation towards both traditional Chinese civilization and modern Western civilization. Meanwhile, the journal took a shift from the original promotion of socialist doctrines to the study of concrete social issues. While intellectuals as a whole were gradually moving toward revolution, the Liang Qichao School, by overhauling The Reconstruction, returned from revolution to reform and became progressivist in an era of radicalism.