Criticism and Reflection: A Brief Analysis of the Concept of "Closing the Country"-Based on the Relevant Cognition in the Works of Scholars during the Republic of China Period

The Closed Door policy during the Ming and Qing dynasties has long been a focal point in academic history. Most scholars believe that this policy was the primary, if not the main, reason for Chinas gradual decline relative to the West during this period, which is widely accepted as the mainstream view. This paper analyzes the understanding of the Closed Door policy found in the works of scholars from the Republic of China era, focusing on works such as Jiang Tingfus A Modern History of China, Chen Gonglus A History of China in the Last Century, and Lu Simians Lectures on a Modern History of China. By examining the content related to the Closed Door policy in these works, the paper aims to summarize the prevailing social views of the Republic of China era.