Public Opinion, Teachers' Strike and Warlord Government: a Study on the Teachers' Demanding Payments Movement in Anhui Province in 1923 under the Horizon of the Press

Teachers' Demanding Payments Movement in Anhui Province in 1923 exemplified the Chinese educational situation during the period of Beiyang Government. The incident aroused the public's interest due to its unique subjects of teachers, evoked widespread compassion because of its simple motivation of demanding payment, and finally became a landmark event in history owing to the tragic ending of bloodshed. The Teachers' Strike was a catalyst for the active participation of Warlord Government, Teachers, students, the general public, and overseas groups. The whole situation worsened step by step, experiencing the following stages of accidental beginning, serious confrontation, difficult mediation and arbitration, and violent upheaval. The incident reflected the numerous and complicated contradictions under the rule of Beiyang Government, symbolized the dangerous situation of education, and embodied the democratic pursuits and conflicting interests of different social class. As a sensational news event, the Teachers' Strike aroused grave concern of the general public, changed directions under the influences of public opinion, and highlighted the complex phase of the transformation of modern China. In the middle of the event, some progressivists gave voice to the pursuits of democratic politics and overthrowing Beiyang Government.