Modern China, 1840-1972: An Introduction to Sources and Research Aids by Andrew J. Nathan

Author:Andrew J. Nathan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kenneth G. Lieberthal and Richard H. Rogel Center for Chinese Studies
Published: 2020-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

10. Collections of Documents, Published and Microfilmed, and Reprint Series.

Chinese scholars have traditionally invested heroic efforts in compiling collections of primary source documentation. These have been published as ts’ung-shu, as shih-lu, or as wen-chi--roughly similar to reprint series, documentary collections, and collected or selected papers of a person. Now, with the help of modern printing, photo-reproduction and microfilming techniques, this ancient practice has been given new vitality. Thus, for the whole of the modern period from the Ch’ing through the cultural revolution, already collated and published or microfilmed collections of primary sources (documents, books and periodicals) form an important, valuable, and accessible form of primary source material. Students should be aware of the major document collections, since they represent important opportunities for research. As a general evaluation, the materials available in the following collections are usually rare, valuable, and authentic; these collections are not paper tigers.

The major sources for the Ch’ing are in fact essentially documentary collections. These include the Ch’ing shih-lu the Ch’ou-pan i-wu shih-mo and the collected writings of major Ch’ing statesmen. For further information see Fairbank, Ch’ing Documents, Part IV.

Mainland compilers were very energetic during the 1950’s. The results of their work have come out mainly in the form of multi-volume collections of primary documents on such topics as the Opium war, the Taipings, the Nien rebellion, the self-strengthening movement, the 1898 reforms, the Boxers, the Sino-French war, the Sino-Japanese war, the 1911 revolution, the May Fourth movement, agricultural history, industrial history, the history of publishing and the history of handicrafts. For guidance to these sources, see Feuerwerker and Cheng. Also note the existence of Chin-tai shih tzu-liao (Source materials on modern history), Peking, K’e-hsüeh ch’u-pan she August, 1954–1967. This periodical published original materials on such topics as the 1911 revolution, the May Fourth movement, the Boxers, the 1915 anti-Yuan Shih-kai movement, the May 30 incident, the Chihli-Anfu war, the Anfu Club, the 1919 Peace Conference in Shanghai, warlordism in Szechwan, and Yüan Shih-k’ai.

Taiwan scholars have concentrated on republishing books relating to the late Ch’ing and early Republic and to Taiwan history; and on documentary collections on KMT, and to a lesser extent CCP, history. The following are the major series. New reprints, whether new series, individual titles or additions to series, are announced in the booklists of the Chinese Materials and Research Aids Service Center.

Chung-kuo hsien-tai shih-liao ts’ung-shu (Compendium of historical materials on modern Chinese history). Taipei, Wen-hsing shu-tien 1962–1963, 36 vols. Wu Hsiang-hsiang genl. ed. This series included about 40 volumes dealing with the founding of the Republic and the Yüan Shih-k’ai period. There were also a few items from the 1930’s and ‘40’s. It is now out of print.

Chin-tai Chung-kuo shih-liao ts’ung-k’an (A compendium of materials on modern Chinese history), Taipei. Wen-hai ch’u-pan she 1966-. Shen Yün-lung genl. ed. This series already includes over 800 volumes and is still growing. It reprints rare books from private collections on the late Ch’ing and early Republic. These volumes are available in sets from the Chinese Materials and Research Aids Service Center.

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