In 1895, when the news reached Beijing that the Treaty of Shimonoseki had been signed, Kang Youwei, who was then taking the imperial civil examinations in Beijing, rallied over 1,300 examinees to submit a petition to Emperor Guangxu to oppose the treaty to sue for peace with Japan and to demand political reform. Although their petition was not heard by emperor, the reformist thoughts spread like wild fire. This event is named "Joint Petition of Imperial Examination Candidates to the Emperor".

Kang Youwei thought that Chinese perilous situation had resulted from its corrupt bureaucracy and backward ideology. After he submitted the petition to emperor, he and his student Liang Qichao started running newspapers and organized Qiangxue Society to press for political reform, thus initiating the national salvation and striving for survival movement all over the country.

In 1898, the year wu-xu by Chinese lunar calendar, Emperor Guangxu decided to put reformers in important positions in government, and to carry out reform measures all over the country. The main contents of the reform were: the overhaul of the traditional government institutions; the protection, encouragement and rewards for industry and commerce; the introduction of modern educational methods; the abolition of the imperial civil examination system; and the study of Western science, technology and culture.

Represented by Emperor Dowager Cixi, the conservatives could not tolerate this reform and decided to put the reformers under arrest and dethrone Emperor Guangxu. Reformers hoped to enlist the support of Yuan Shikai, a powerful general and minister, but were betrayed by Yuan. On September 21st, 1898, a palace coup masterminded by Cixi put Emperor Guangxu under house arrest, and most of reformers were arrested. Kang Youwei and Liang Qichao fled abroad. Tan Sitong, another important reformer, who had a chance of escape, refused to do so. He said, "There can be no reform without blood. In China there is no one who has shed blood for reform, and that is why our country is still poor and weak. Now i am willling to be the first to give my life for reform." Before long, Tan Sitong, Kang Guangren and four other leading reformers where executed by conservatives. They are known to history as "Six Gentlemen of Wu-xu".

Reform Movement lasted only 103 days from the promulgation of reform by Emperor Guangxu to the coup, the end of Movement. Therefore, it is also called "Hundred Days Reform".