•The inability of the Chinese empire to stop the inroads of Europeans led to its overthrow and replacement with a republic in 1911. •At that time, pressure for reform increased in Confucian schools. •This resulted in the “New Confucianism” movement.
•The inability of the Chinese empire to stop the inroads of Europeans led to its overthrow and replacement with a republic in 1911.•At that time, pressure for reform increased in Confucian schools.•This resulted in the “New Confucianism” movement.