The Research On The Speeches During The Period Between Late Qing Dynasty And Beginning Of The Republic Of China

Starting from late Qing dynasty, a group of informed person and the forerunners who came from folks were aware of the importance to break through the social values gradually. Then they took action soon. To some degree, they paid great attention to the speech, because of the speech has some advantages. The speech combines the voice with the affection as a whole. In a speech, every audience can understand the orator. So giving speech became the best way of communicating which can apply to the bottom layer of the society. They gave speeches in droves, with the purpose of spread the new thought and the new ideas and made the domestic civilized. Thus the society got a fever of speech. Giving speech come into fashion.At the present time, in the realm of research on modern history of journalism and communication, much emphasis were given to the research on newspapers and journalists, while almost no one set foot in the oratorical research. This thesis do first step research on speeches that were given during the period between late Qing dynasty and beginning of the Republic of China as an important way of communicating.The thesis is divided into four chapters totally. Chapter 1 emphasizes to clarify and analyze the definition and characteristics of speeches. At first, this chapter develops a new definition of speech by the synthesis of several definitions in other oratorical works and the analysis of many speeches as follows: speech is a kind of information exchanging and communicating activity, in which an orator face many audiences aiming at a certain problem or an important affair to express his own opinion, or expatiate on a certain truth by the synthesis of using words, gestures, behaviors, image and spot environment, etc. Furthermore, this chapter draws a distinction between speech and other forms of oral expression. Then, in comparison with newspaper, the thesis induces three main characteristics of speech. It has strong stimulation, flexibility and inter-action. The last part of chapter 1 traces the development of speech in previous dynasties back roughly. It explains that speech has a long history in our country. As the result of step by step development, speeches which were given during the period between late Qing dynasty and beginning of the Republic of China have solid foundation.Chapter 2 systematically introduces the prosperity of speeches during the period between late Qing dynasty and beginning of the Republic of China, and analyzes the reason. In this period, some informed forerunners made use of speeches to express their views and educate the people. A large quantity of orators grew up in the society, many oratorical conferences were held at the mean time. The speeches also got the ruler's attention and support. Many articles relevant to speeches were published on newspapers at that time, discussing the advantages of speeches. Then the thesis analyzes the reason for the prosperity of speeches during the period between late Qing dynasty and beginning of the Republic of China from two aspects. One aspect is the background of turbulent age. It provided abundant materials for the speech. The publicity for the political reform, the advocacy of revolution and the introduction of the new knowledge contribute to the prosperity of the speeches to different degree. And during this period, due to the turbulent age, the freedom of giving speech is hard to control. It provided beneficial environment for the development of speeches. The other aspect is that speeches have advantages. As a new enlightened tool, speeches were took full advantage by the orators. Compare with newspapers, speeches are more convenient and flexible. Cross the essential editor process of newspaper, people can give speech at anytime and anywhere, and every audience can understand. Particularly, speeches play an important role in giving more information to the bottom layer of the society.In comparison with speeches which be given in ancient times, chapter 3 investigates the characteristics of speeches which be made during the period between late Qing dynasty and beginning of the Republic of China from two aspects thoroughly. In one hand, the thesis analyzes the constitution of orators and audiences in a specific way. The troops of orators and audiences became stronger continuously. The occupations of orators and audiences were various. During this period not only the rulers and the cultivated person made speeches, but also students, workers, farmers and merchants gave speeches. Because of the establishment of modern schools and the advocacy of new education style, young students occupied essential position in lots of speeches. Moreover, orators and audiences in late Qing dynasty broke through the limit of sex and age as well. Many women and children stood on the platform plead loudly, or became faithful audiences. In the other hand, the thesis induces and enumerates the main contents of the speeches which be given during the period between late Qing dynasty and beginning of the Republic of China. In this period, the information that the speeches had been communicated are wiser than before. The contents mainly divided into three aspects. Aiming at the bad traditions and undesirable customs in the society, a great number of speeches are given to persuade the women whose feet are tied up to release, illustrate the objections to addicts who take the opium, advocate the liberation of the women. At the mean time, many orators took advantage of speeches to spread their political views. Introduced the new knowledge that was transmitted from the western countries is one of the purpose to give speech, too. It's clear that the all-round speeches had great influence on the society at that time, and received good effect.The last point of the thesis mainly discusses the influence of the speeches on society during the period between late Qing dynasty and beginning of the Republic of China. Going with the effects of the communication accumulated, firstly, we can see the influence of the speeches on transforming social traditions. Aiming at the bad traditions and undesirable customs in the society, some forerunners made speeches in droves and established special communities for giving speech periodically. Under the help of other mediums, such as newspapers and magazines, speeches had a beneficial influence on persuasion and mobilization about eradicating the bad habits and undesirable customs. Secondly, with the help of speeches, most people realized the urgent tasks of this period: enlighten thought and anti-aggression war. Save the nation and make the people civilized became social targets. Finally, under the advocacy and mobilization of speeches, several movements broke out, among them the Anti-Russia Movement, the 1911 Revolution and the May 4th Movement are typical representatives.