1948: Shanghai Dance Tide Case (Studies in History, Philosophy, and Literature)

Author: Ma Jun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-12-01
Features: This book examines a political event that occurred half a century ago—the Shanghai Dance Wave Incident. The incident stemmed from the Nationalist government's "saving consumption" policy for "quelling chaos and building the nation" in September 1947, which banned commercial dance halls nationwide. This led to an unprecedented shock in Shanghai's dance industry and a strong societal reaction. On the afternoon of January 31, 1948, dance industry workers gathered in protest after the municipal social bureau prematurely drew lots and unilaterally implemented the ban. Bureau Chief Wu Kaixian refused to meet them. In anger, the dance industry workers destroyed the social bureau's office building. After the incident, around 400 dancers were detained by the police. Several months later, some dancers were sentenced to prison, and the government was forced to revoke the ban. The sensational Dance Wave Incident was thus brought to an end. The Dance Wave Incident left a long-standing mystery in Shanghai's history. In many existing accounts, detailed explanations of its causes, development, climax, and resolution are often lacking. The various old stories and anecdotes related to it remain in scattered and disorganized historical documents, long untouched. However, one thing has always been clear: it was not a premeditated, organized political action. Perhaps this is why it has long been neglected in the field of domestic historical research. The Dance Wave Incident seems like a quiet, short melody that did not fit well with the post-war Shanghai anti-war theme. It was too soon to be buried in the scattered memories of old Shanghai people—whose post-war memories were filled with soaring prices, labor strikes, frequent student movements, and the wailing of police sirens—allowing it to gradually fade and blur over time, leaving no trace behind.