The failure of the Hundred Days of Reform during the Qing Dynasty can primarily be attributed to the opposition by conservative political elites who saw the reforms as a threat to their power.
Here’s an overview of the factors involved:
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Opposition by Conservative Political Elites: Many traditionalist officials and scholars viewed the reforms as a radical departure from Confucian values and an existential threat to their established power and influence within the Qing state. These conservatives mobilized against the reformers, leading to the eventual backlash that culminated in a coup.
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Emperor Guangxu's Role: While Emperor Guangxu initially supported the reforms, he faced significant opposition from powerful court officials, particularly Empress Dowager Cixi. After the reform movement was undermined, he was placed under house arrest, which effectively curtailed any further reform efforts.
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Communication Issues: While dialects did pose challenges in terms of local communication, they did not principally hinder the overall reform movement. The primary issues were more political than linguistic.
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Sino-Japanese War: The defeat in the Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895) did create a sense of urgency for reform, but the war itself was a response to the failures of the Qing dynasty. The war did not directly cause the failure of the Hundred Days of Reform but rather highlighted the urgency for modernization within the Chinese state.
In essence, strong opposition from conservative elites who feared loss of power was the most significant reason for the failure of the Hundred Days of Reform. The reform movement ended abruptly in September 1898, after only a few months, due to these factors.