The modern earthquake study in China gradually developed since Western seismic knowledge was recommended in the Qing Dynasty in about 17^th century. The three-step pattern of seismological progress in Republican China closely related to the social background at that time. Before 1918 it was the beginning step of Chinese seismology. The 1911 revolution strongly promoted the spread of modern science into China,and then some fragmented seismic researches were carried out mainly by Chinese and foreign missionaries in China. At the beginning of the New Culture Movement in the second step,Chinese Science Society and several professional societies appeared. The earthquake in 1920 was studied in seismogeology for the first time. There were some experience and profound lessons in the aspect of earthquake disaster relief. In the third step,i.e.,the period of the National Government from 1928 to 1949,the Academia Sinica and some professional institutes were set up,and obvious progress was achieved in different fields such as theoretical seismology,seismometry,seismogeology,disaster reduction and academic exchanges. Science predecessors had made their significant contribution to the victory of Anti-Japanese war and national independence. The history shows that "Science to save the country" was a historical choice of China,science and democracy need to be promoted at the same time,as well as seismological research has a feature of long process study.