Research On The Women's Liberation Movement Of Shanghai In The Early Stage Of The People Republic Of China (1949-1956)

The women's liberation movement of shanghai in the early period of the founding of the People's Republic of China (P.R.C.) in 1949, is one of the most influential movements in the women's liberation movement. After P.R.C. founded, the Chinese women became the master of the nation and obtained the rights equal to the men's in every aspect. However, in the matter of fact, there're the phenomenon of discriminating women. The women have not obtained the real rights. Shanghai is the biggest center of politics, economy and culture of China in the early stage of P.R.C And the women of Shanghai is one of more characteristic group in China, who has their own features in the quantity, education and ideology and so on.On the basis of searching for much history material in Archives of Shanghai, this article analyses the background of the women's liberation movement of Shanghai, referring to Records of the women, Records of The Home Affairs Bureau and Records of Public Security Organs of Shanghai. Before P.R.C.founded, the women of Shanghai is higher than the women of other fields on the educational level and the awakening level. They take an active part in Chinese revolution. After P.R.C. founded, the Communist Party of China(C.P.C) made some laws, policies and rules which are beneficial to the women. Many newspaper and magazines on the women of Shanghai propagated female emancipation. Meanwhile, lots of women organizations were established, which promoted the unity of the women of Shanghai, especially the foundation of the women's Democratic Federation of Shanghai, which became the bridge between Shanghai government and the women, guiding them to carry out the movements for liberation. Through publicity and implementation of the Marriage Law and prohibiting prostitution, the women became the real master of the country, who could earn their own living. At the same time, they actively participated in the General Selection, which helped them realized the people's democratic right. They made effort to learn science and knowledge. With the developing of economy, the Shanghai government built the hospital to help the women solve the problem of the job and family and help bring up new generation. In the field of production, the women have the same right with the men to take part in all kinds of jobs. They enjoyed equal pay for equal work, obtaining the right of economic independence.Considering the level of Shanghai on politics, economy and culture, research on the women's liberation movement of Shanghai in the youth of P.R.C is significant and meaningful. This movement is a movement from top down, leaded by the Shanghai government and the women's Democratic Federation of Shanghai, tightly connected with other struggles and movements, which makes great contribution to the women's liberation project.