 A young group of intellectuals in China led by Kang Youwei argued that China's defeat was due to its lack of modern institutions and legal framework which the Self-Strengthening Movement had failed to deliver.They saw the recent rise of new powers such as Germany, Italy, and Japan coincide with their adoption of constitutions.By having a constitution as the basis for social and political organization, they surmise that all of China's ills could be repaired.