Modern Chinese History

Author: Li Kan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-04-28
Features: A History of Modern China was originally a trial teaching material compiled by some members of the History Department of Shandong University, the History Department of Shandong Normal College, the History Department and Research Institute of the Central Nationalities College, and the History Department of Beijing Normal University. The initial draft was contributed by Li Dezhen, Lu Jingqi, Xu Xudian, Song Qinglan, Hu Bin, Zhu Ning, Yang Ce, Mo Junqing, Guo Yisheng, Liu Wenyuan, Li Xianzhong, Zhang Shouchang, Chen Guiying, Liang Yiqun, and Gong Shuduo. The revision of the initial draft was undertaken by Li Dezhen, Xu Xudian, Li Hongsheng, Song Qinglan, Zhu Ning, Yang Ce, Liu Wenyuan, Gong Shuduo, and Li Kan. The initial draft of the chapter on the Xinhai Revolution was provided by Li Shiye, while the section "The Victory and Failure of the Xinhai Revolution" was drafted by Zhao Shiyuan.
As a history textbook for higher education institutions, A History of Modern China has undergone three revisions since its first publication in 1977, with a cumulative print run of over 1 million copies. It has played a significant role in history teaching at universities and among readers. For the compilers, this is both encouragement and motivation. It is encouragement because their efforts have been recognized by the public through teaching practice and reader feedback; it is motivation because they recognize that the book still has many shortcomings that need improvement.
Given the progress in modern Chinese history research and teaching in recent years, some content in the textbook has become inadequate in meeting the needs of the actual situation. Therefore, a revision has been decided upon. This revision largely maintains the original framework while making necessary adjustments to certain chapters, simplifying the narration of some historical events, enriching content on social and economic life and intellectual culture, and slightly expanding on the activities and changes of the Qing ruling group. Additionally, some historical inaccuracies have been corrected, and new research findings have been incorporated.
In terms of writing style, the book strives for objectivity, relevance, and clarity, with language that is straightforward and concise. According to the current curriculum of history disciplines in higher education institutions, the book covers the eighty years from the Opium War to the May Fourth Movement. Modern China was a period of intense social upheaval, marked by complex and acute contradictions and struggles both domestically and internationally. During this era, struggles between aggression and resistance, oppression and liberation, reform and counter-reform, and revolution and counter-revolution were pervasive. Modern history is not only a record of suffering and humiliation for the people of all ethnic groups in the Chinese nation but also a history of struggle and glory. The content is rich, and the scope is vast.
As a fundamental requirement for a modern Chinese history textbook, the first is to narrate the historical development based on historical facts; the second is to scientifically analyze and explain the historical development from the perspective of dialectical materialism and historical materialism, enabling students and readers to gain a systematic and comprehensive understanding of modern Chinese history and lay a solid foundation for further in-depth research. Foundational courses are crucial, and if the foundation is not laid well, further advancement and deepening become more challenging.
There is no need to dwell on why we should study modern Chinese history. In short, it is because today's China is the development of historical China. Without understanding China's yesterday and the day before yesterday, it is difficult to truly understand China today. Our contemporary socialist China emerged from the semi-colonial and semi-feudal old China. Studying and researching modern Chinese history is essential to deepen our understanding of this era, enhance our knowledge of China's national conditions, draw inspiration and wisdom from the past, and be motivated and encouraged to strengthen our sense of patriotism and the consciousness of building socialism with Chinese characteristics, thereby better creating a new history.
Every historical era has its unique social content and characteristics. Different historical eras also endow people with distinct material and spiritual lifestyles, as well as different historical missions. Therefore, studying history must be based on the specific historical reality rather than on subjective will or abstract principles. Researchers may observe, analyze, and comment on history in various ways, but they cannot change or reshape it. For the same historical facts, figures, or phenomena, researchers may adopt different standpoints, perspectives, and methods. Among the many research methods, it is essential to adhere to a scientific attitude and methodology, which is dialectical materialism and historical materialism, or the attitude and methodology of seeking truth from facts.