端方与早期湖南现代化

Duanfang and Early Modernization in Hunan Province

长期以来,史学界对湖南地方现代化的研究有意无意地忽略了一个重要人物,即20世纪初湖南现代化起步时期曾担任过湘抚的端方。细考端方在湘活动,可以发现他在开办新式学堂、派遣留学生、发展地方工矿事业、开埠通商和筹建现代军队及警察诸方面均有不同寻常的理念和建树。端方实是湖南早期现代化得以成功起动的关键人物。他大张旗鼓的改革实践突破了内陆省份原有的保守氛围,推动了湖南地方现代化的实质性进展。对湖南而言,端方是功臣,而非罪人,在地方现代化史上理当有其应有的地位。

tion was just at Duanfang was a starting then. A provincial viceroy in the early 20th century Hunan where moderniza- careful examination may show, though being somewhat neglected in the history studies of Hunan modernization, he was quite unique in such practices of insights as start- ing schools of new education, sending students to study abroad, developing local industries, encoura- ging international trade, and building modern military and police force. He was indeed a key figure in launching a successful modernization process in Hunan. His vigorous reforms puffed off the conserva- tive atmosphere of the remote province and substantially pushed ahead the progress of modernization in Hunan. As far as the local development of Hunan is concerned, Duanfang′s work should be greatly ap- preciated, and he deserves a proper evaluation in the local history of modernization.