Abstract
Chinese nationalism in modern sense emerged between the end of 19th century and the beginning of 20th century. In the first half of 20th century，it made history of nation-saving. By analyzing the background of the various trends of thought in modern China，we found there was an undercurrent of nationalism ran through them，taking part in the course of modernization in China and becoming the strongest and sustained strength since the mid-19th century. On one hand，nationalism embodied itself in resisting invasion，breaking conventional ideas and manifesting freedom，equality and liberation，etc.，and making a claim in a brand new way to equal status for China in the international relationship. On the other hand，it involved in the rich content of modern nation，not only including territory and sovereignty，but also class，race，political system，freedom，democratic public and other aspects. This thesis deals with nationalism between the May 4th Movement of 1919 and the end of 1940s（the establishment of the People’s Republic of China）.
The author believes that the trend of thought of modern nationalism sprang up after the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895 and moved forward both the directions of improvement and revolution. Among them the nationalism in the Sun Yat-sen’s revolution greatly influenced Chinese society and politics. The May 4th Movement considered as a political and spiritual event constructed the common awareness of saving the nation from destruction and the wish to strengthen the nation. From the view of modern nationalism，this movement embodied the rapid development of modern Chinese nationalism，and “nation” has become the highest object of devotion. From the view of politics，it hold up an unequivocal stand of opposing both imperialism and feudalism，and of preserving national sovereignty and dignity. From the cultural and ideological aspects，it initiated democratic and scientific modern sense，and advocated improvement of national character and a thorough critique of feudal culture，thus to form a new ideology and establish a new order，achieve national independence，individual liberation，and social fair in order to promote modernization in China. Free intellectuals in modern Chinese have been concerned deeply for their national destiny. But in their ideal design of the national future，there was a dilemma between the great national objective and individual value belief. As an important part in the history of nation-saving，cultural nationalists stuck to their comprehension of the relationship between national tradition and nation，and carried it forward after the May 4th Movement. There were different parties，such as the Modern New—Confucianism，Chinese Natural Cultural Clique，the Warring States Clique，etc.. In spite of their own characteristics in theory construction and cultural practice，they shared the same desire to search for a way for modern China in the creation and development of national culture. Nationalism as a political system，ideology and social movement in the way of pursuing a modern nation—the highest objective，was fully operated by the two major political parties—Kuomintang and the Communist Party of China.They organized and took advantage of nationalism under the special historical background，and interpreted nationalism through the common political community they designed，the value system they believed and the social system they pursued.
All in all，Nationalism as a result of the course of world modernization，was also generated by the situation of external encroach，internal political corruption and underdeveloped economy in China. It featured for its content and objective of anti-invasion and founding a modern nation and also distinguished for its complexity and unbalance.