Heavenly Misfortune Years: Famine in the Qing Dynasty and Chinese Society

Author: Li Wenhai, edited by Xia Mingfang
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2007-01-01
Features: In the nearly two decades, academic circles both domestically and internationally have shown strong academic interest in the study of Chinese disaster history, publishing a large number of enlightening 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 closest feudal dynasty to us. Many of the economic, political, military, diplomatic, ethnic relations, and other issues in contemporary China have evolved from the Qing Dynasty. Studying Qing Dynasty disasters has the most direct reference significance for today. Second, the disasters in 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 gathered the essence of ancient disaster governance, becoming more comprehensive and systematic, reaching a relatively high level. Finally, the historical materials left to date on disasters are mostly from the Qing Dynasty. For example, in the Complete Collection of Chinese Disaster Governance we compiled, the works on disaster governance written by the Qing people account for more than 90% of the entire materials, which is truly extensive. How to further deepen and expand the study of Qing Dynasty disaster history based on previous research is a major historical issue we face in the 21st century. Below, I will share some of my own thoughts.