THE CHINESE EMPIRE THROUGH THE EYES OF THE PROTESTANT MISSIONARIES IN THE 19TH CENTURY

In the 19th century, Protestant missionaries began active work in China, aiming to spread Christianity in one of the most populous countries in the world. The missions served not only as carriers of a foreign religion but also as conduits for numerous other Western influences, such as Western medicine, education, and cultural values. The missionaries were often met with distrust by the Chinese, who perceived them as agents of foreign powers, especially during the Opium Wars. This article examines the history of the Protestant missions, the various missionary societies, the reception of Christianity by the Chinese, the methods of the missionaries, and their impact on Chinese society.