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15 August 2008, Volume 0 Issue 3 Previous Issue    Next Issue

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Economic Growth and Fluctuation in the Early Qing from the Perspective of Monet Circulation YAN Hong-Zhong 2008, 0(3): 24-43.  Abstract ( )   PDF (3141KB) ( )   Based on an examination of the monetary system and the monetization of the economy in the early Qing, this articles estimates the approximate amount of currency in circulation and further explores the macroeconomic growth and fluctuations from 1651 to 1860 based on monetary circulation. The author believes that the eighteenth century was the heyday of Chinese traditional economic development, and that the monetization and sharp increase in the supply of silver stimulated long-distance trade and the rise of regional merchants groups, and increased industrial and agricultural production, reflecting the overall economic development of this period. Along with commoditization and monetization of the economy, monetary supplies and government financial behavior had an increasing influence on the economy. The shortage of monetary supplies gave rise to three economic depressions: the early years of Qing, Jiaqing reign, and Daoguang reign. This study clearly indicates that the scholarly debate over the “stagnation” or “growth” of the Qing economy perhaps merely depends on the period of time and aspect of the economy one examines. The two viewpoints can be somewhat reconciled. Related Articles | Metrics

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The Diversification of Forms of Land Transactions in the Qing Dynasty LONG Deng-Gao 2008, 0(3): 44-58.  Abstract ( )   PDF (1668KB) ( )   It is evident that there were diverse forms for transferring property rights in land during the Qing  Dynasty. There were mainly two kinds of transaction, one was the direct exchange of the property rights in land, and the other was financial transaction that did not entail a final transfer of property rights. Several financial methods that have often been confused are differentiated and analyzed in this paper based on the original contracts and legal judgments in Qing Dynasty. These are collateral(ya), pawn(dian), hock and pawn(dang), and “repayment of debt by land to be shared by two sides”(di). These methods served the financial needs of farmers who hoped to keep their land. The direct transaction of the land included several exchanges of lands which could be redeemed and compensated, in order to protect the proprietors as far as possible. Some other transactions by partnership and shareholder were also discovered in the original materials. All these diverse transactions of property righty in land, not only helped peasants weather financial difficulties without selling off their land, but also assembled and allocated production factors and resources in the land market. Related Articles | Metrics

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Concessionary Policy of Qing Government after the Suppression of the Taiping Rebellion ZHENG Qi-Dong 2008, 0(3): 59-69.  Abstract ( )   PDF (1514KB) ( )   Unlike earlier studies, this article concludes that the Qing government did undertake a concessionary policy after the suppression of the Taiping Rebellion. After quelling the Taiping Rebellion, the Qing government undertook many measures to relieve the burdens of the peasantry, stabilize the social orders, and rehabilitate agriculture. These measures included reducing taxes and corvee, reclaiming land, encouraging farming and promoting water conservancy. These measures did benefit the peasants and promoted economic development. Related Articles | Metrics

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Literary Collections and Modern China’s Paper and Magazine TANG Zhi-Jun 2008, 0(3): 70-81.  Abstract ( )   PDF (1008KB) ( )   Newspapers and periodicals in vogue in modern China published collected works of authors’ articles and poetry, in their original forms with additions and deletion or sometimes without emendations. Through an investigation of articles in newspapers and magazine, we can identify draft versions literary works that did not appear in an author’s finished works enabling us to trace the evolution of an author’s thoughts. This paper takes Liang Qichao as a case study. Related Articles | Metrics

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The Unfolding and Dilemma of Humanity Study(Renxue)in the Late Qing:The Academic Root Tragedy of the 1898 Reform Intellectuals LUO Jian-Qiu 2008, 0(3): 82-92.  Abstract ( )   PDF (1435KB) ( )   Humanity Study crystallized and to some degress was practiced in the late Qing. The thinkers of the 1898 Reform, such as Kang Youwei and Tan Sitong, reinterpreted inner cultivation, illustrated the theory of benevolent government, and linked Humanity Study and enlightenment through the popular will, and equality of thought and ideal of human dignity. They advocated the concept of Humanity(Ren), but in Modern China, it was impossible for Humanity Study to advance. In their pursuit of a righteous cause, Kang and Tan’s reform proposals tended toward moral idealism, and their personal fate were strongly dyed in the color of tragedy. Related Articles | Metrics

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The Thirteenth Year of Qianlong Reign as Depicted by Augustin F.Hallerstein GAO Wang-Ling 2008, 0(3): 93-100.  Abstract ( )   PDF (943KB) ( )   This paper introduces two private letters of Liu Songling (Augustion F. Hallerstein), director of the Imperial Board of Astronomy, which discussed the thirteenth year of the Qianlong Reign. This was an extraordinary year which witnessed a serious situation regarding missionary cases, the Jinchuan war, the death of the Empress, and a restrained state policy. Hallerstein’s invaluable letters provide a supplement to Chinese materials and a different perspective on these historical events. Related Articles | Metrics

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The Establishment of the Customs Commissioner in the Qing Dynasty ZOU Jian-Da, XIONG Jun 2008, 0(3): 101-108.  Abstract ( )   PDF (843KB) ( )   The Customs Commissioner was an official post established by Emperor Yongzheng to manage local customs. It began in Zhejiang province in the fourth year of the Yongzheng Reign, and was extended to Fujian, Hunan, and Guangdong provinces. By the eleventh year of the Yongzheng reign, all of these officers were abolished. The position of customs commissioner was distinguished by several characteristics. Commissioners were only appointed in a limited number of provinces; the duration of their postings was short, and the number of commissioners was few. The powers held by commissioners were different in different jurisdictions, the post was a temporary imperial assignment and the commissioners acted somewhat as local official. The last point caused contradictions between custom commissioners and local high officials, and that was the main reason why the post was ineffective and ultimately abolished. Related Articles | Metrics