庚子赔款与游美学务处 百年前的公派留学生们

Gengzi Compensation and Studying in America Office

1901年,辛丑年。这一年的9月,清政府与11个国家签订《解决1900年动乱最后议定书》,即《辛丑条约》,条约规定清政府需拿出4.5亿两白银赔偿各国,赔款以4%年利息计算,分39年还清。因1900年是农历庚子年,这笔钱史称“庚子赔款”。

In 1901, Qing government signed an unequal treaty with eleven countries. The treaty stipulated that Qing government need to compensate these countries by 450 million sliver dollar, and this compensation was named "Gengzi Compensation". From 1909, China started to send out students to America, and in the same year, Qing government set up studying in America office and the students selection began. Students who were chosen can went to America for further study, so the requirement was very strict. The selection required students have strong body, pure temperament, solid Chinese foundation, and good command of English. For students who were chosen, 80% of them would study agriculture, industry, business and such subjects, other students would study law, education and so on.