Leiden University Student Repository

Schagen, Georgette (2018)

American New Women in China, Imperialism of a Beneficent Nature?

Bachelor thesis | Chinastudies (BA)

Between 1911 and the end of the 1920s a large number of single female Protestant missionaries from the United States was working in China. By this time, the work of missionaries had evolved from being engaged in direct evangelism to providing social services in educational and medical institutions, and through these services indirectly spreading Christian civilization. This thesis questions if imperialism carried out by missionaries can be beneficent, and specifically focuses on the American New Women who came to China as single female missionaries. The reasons why these women came to China were diverse, some came because of their vocation others because they were longing for adventure. However, many of these women had more practical reasons. At the beginning of the 20th century it was difficult for educated women to find suitable jobs in the United States, China offered them career possibilities as well as a social position. The American government supported the missionaries in...Show moreBetween 1911 and the end of the 1920s a large number of single female Protestant missionaries from the United States was working in China. By this time, the work of missionaries had evolved from being engaged in direct evangelism to providing social services in educational and medical institutions, and through these services indirectly spreading Christian civilization. This thesis questions if imperialism carried out by missionaries can be beneficent, and specifically focuses on the American New Women who came to China as single female missionaries. The reasons why these women came to China were diverse, some came because of their vocation others because they were longing for adventure. However, many of these women had more practical reasons. At the beginning of the 20th century it was difficult for educated women to find suitable jobs in the United States, China offered them career possibilities as well as a social position. The American government supported the missionaries in their effort to spread Christianity and American civilization, but the reasons for this support were far from altruistic.Show less

Missionaries

New American Women

Imperialism

Author

Schagen, Georgette

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Supervisors

Ling, G.I. van

ECTS Credits

10

Language

en