Tongwen Guan
Encyclopedia
Tongwen Guan or the School of Combined Learning was a government school for teaching Western languages
(and later scientific subjects), founded at Beijing
, China
in 1862 during the late-Qing Dynasty
. The establishment signifies the Qing Empire, after years of reluctance, at last tried to learn about the West of their own accord.
Following the Convention of Peking
, the Qing Empire created Zongli Yamen
, an office for foreign affairs, in 1861 and Tongwen Guan one year later, which was supervised by Zongli Yamen. The college was not the first Western language school in China, though. The Eluosi Guan (俄羅斯舘 "Russian College") was set up in as early as 1708, which was later integrated into Tongwen Guan. There were also Siyi Guan (四夷舘; founded 1407) and Huitong Guan (會同舘) during the Ming Dynasty
for training translators and interpreters of Asian languages.
The college taught English, French, German, Russian and Japanese, as well as chemistry, medicine, machine-making, astronomy, mathematics, geography and international laws. Similar colleges were later set up at Canton
and Shanghai
. Tongwen Guan published several influential works introducing Western knowledge into China. It became part of the Imperial Capital University (now Peking University
) since 1902.
Languages of Europe
Most of the languages of Europe belong to Indo-European language family. These are divided into a number of branches, including Romance, Germanic, Balto-Slavic, Greek, and others. The Uralic languages also have a significant presence in Europe, including the national languages Hungarian, Finnish,...
(and later scientific subjects), founded at Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
in 1862 during the late-Qing Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
. The establishment signifies the Qing Empire, after years of reluctance, at last tried to learn about the West of their own accord.
Following the Convention of Peking
Convention of Peking
The Convention of Peking or the First Convention of Peking is the name used for three different unequal treaties, which were concluded between Qing China and the United Kingdom, France, and Russia.-Background:...
, the Qing Empire created Zongli Yamen
Zongli Yamen
Zongli Yamen was the government body in charge of foreign affairs in imperial China during the late Qing dynasty. It was established by Prince Gong in 1861, following the Convention of Peking. It was abolished in 1901 and replaced with a Foreign Office of ministry rank.The former site of the...
, an office for foreign affairs, in 1861 and Tongwen Guan one year later, which was supervised by Zongli Yamen. The college was not the first Western language school in China, though. The Eluosi Guan (俄羅斯舘 "Russian College") was set up in as early as 1708, which was later integrated into Tongwen Guan. There were also Siyi Guan (四夷舘; founded 1407) and Huitong Guan (會同舘) during the Ming Dynasty
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
for training translators and interpreters of Asian languages.
The college taught English, French, German, Russian and Japanese, as well as chemistry, medicine, machine-making, astronomy, mathematics, geography and international laws. Similar colleges were later set up at Canton
Guangzhou
Guangzhou , known historically as Canton or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in southern China on the Pearl River, about north-northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is a key national transportation hub and trading port...
and Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
. Tongwen Guan published several influential works introducing Western knowledge into China. It became part of the Imperial Capital University (now Peking University
Peking University
Peking University , colloquially known in Chinese as Beida , is a major research university located in Beijing, China, and a member of the C9 League. It is the first established modern national university of China. It was founded as Imperial University of Peking in 1898 as a replacement of the...
) since 1902.