Heavenly Misfortune Years - Qing Dynasty Famine and Chinese Society

Author: Li Wenhai
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2007-01-01
Features: In the past two decades, academic circles both domestically and internationally have shown strong interest in the study of Chinese disaster history, publishing a large number of insightful academic achievements. Among these, the Qing Dynasty's disaster issues have become a focal point of research. This is determined by the following three reasons: First, the Qing Dynasty was the last feudal monarchy in China and also the one closest to us in terms of feudal history. Many of the economic, political, military, diplomatic, and ethnic relations issues in contemporary China have evolved from or extended from the Qing Dynasty. Studying Qing-era disasters holds the most direct reference value for today. Second, the disasters during the Qing Dynasty were extremely severe, and the people's disaster resistance struggles accumulated rich experience. The government's disaster relief mechanisms and actual operations also represented the pinnacle of ancient famine governance, becoming more comprehensive, systematic, and developed to a higher level. Finally, the historical records left to date on disasters are also most abundant in the Qing Dynasty. For example, in the Comprehensive Collection of Chinese Famine Governance we compiled, the famine governance writings of the Qing people account for over 90% of the entire collection, which is truly extensive. Building on previous research, how to further deepen and expand the study of Qing-era disaster history is a major historical challenge we face in the 21st century. Below, I will share some of my own thoughts.