How did the May Fourth Movement affect written Chinese?

The May Fourth Movement was a pivotal turning point for written Chinese, as it catalyzed a transition from the traditional classical style (wenyan) to a naturalistic vernacular style known as baihua.1

Before this period, the classical language—which was far removed from the spoken tongue—served as the standard for literature and official writing, creating a significant barrier to literacy. During the movement, intellectuals such as Hu Shih and Chen Duxiu argued that a modern nation required a literature written in the living "national language" (guoyu).23

This shift was promoted through influential publications like the magazine New Youth, which encouraged writers to abandon the difficult, 2,000-year-old classical style in favor of the vernacular. This reform movement successfully:31

• Democratized literature: By adopting the everyday language of the people, reformers aimed to increase literacy and reach a broader audience.12
• Enabled new forms of expression: Writers like Lu Xun used the vernacular to produce critical, socially reflective works that challenged traditional feudalistic values.3
• Modernized intellectual discourse: The adoption of baihua allowed for the spread of new ideas, including science, democracy, and Western political philosophies, which were central to the broader New Culture Movement.1