Western Missionaries in Modern China: From Ministers of Foreign Teachings to Agents of Imperialism?

Western missionaries working for the proselytization of Christianity during early twentieth century were predominantly representatives a new worldview that put scientific objectives on par with aim converting Chinese to their faith. Conventional wisdom stipulates 1920s brought about sea change in public attitudes, transforming missionaries’ perceived role China, as well colonized world, into “agents imperialism.” This article posits this may have been case within ranks radicalizing and ideologically reorienting intellectual elite. However, majority population Republic China held variety views, from deep-rooted suspicion (“Western clerics alien magicians”) high esteem (“clerics medical experts”). The May Fourth Movement’s axiom monolithic, “patriotic,” “scientific” opposition thus needs be replaced by more nuanced interpretation.