The Research On The Reform Of The Weights And Measures Of The Nanjing National Government Between 1927 And 1935

The system of weights and measures is closely related with the normal operation of a country and people's daily life. Ever since the ancestors constructed the state power, they have begun to unify weights and measures. During the period of the Republic of China, ancient system of weights and measures has become the research focus of academic circles. In recent years, the study of modern weights and measures is also arising. By fully absorbing the previous research outcomes and deeply studying the archives and magazines and the like, this thesis mainly integrates lessons from economics, politics, sociology and other research method of related disciplines. The process, which examines the reform of the weights and measures of the Nanjing National Government and the system construction of Nanjing National Government both in its initial period and the following transformation, uses the modernization theory, knowledge and system transformation theory. This thesis argued that the Nanjing National Government, in the beginning period of the system construction, has made a difference. That is, although the new system of weights and measures has not equalized in the whole country, it has greatly influenced the Chinese society and laid a foundation for the People's Republic of China.Before starting the analysis of the reform of the weights and measures of the Nanjing National Government, this thesis introduces three reforms on weights and measures of the late Qing Dynasty and the beginning of the Republic of China. In total, they have made our system of weights and measures last over 2.000 years, launched the transition from tradition to modernization, and paved the way for further promoting the modernization of Chinese weights and measures.On the reform of the weights and measures of the Nanjing National Government, the thesis analyzed the reasons for the reform, which included constructing a unified market, reviving national ideals, unifying the regimes and so on. Furthermore, due to the appeal from the departments of the central government, local governments, non-governmental organizations and social personages, the national government delegating Nanjing as the capital started preparing to unify weights and measures. It ranges from determining the standards of weights, promulgating the law of weights, convening national meeting of weights, establishing weights institutions, training talents of weights to making and using new instruments, etc. However, the implementation of the new system of weights was not as smooth as expected. Among the central and local government, political authorities and businessmen, merchants and civilians, there was a series of disputes. To resolve the disputes, the government admittedly took a leading role.After the Nanjing National Government has got down to unifying the weights, there arises a key concern about how the social circles reflected their thoughts and coped with the reform. To probe into the reform, the thesis has singled out the perspectives of the business, education and the press as representatives.In addition, as the new system of weights was carried out through the country, the people from all walks of life have had an extensive discussion about the law of the weights. In common, it's thought that the unit definition and name of weights is not scientific. The discussion has profoundly reflected that China's traditional culture and the old system of weights is an unavoidable factor in the transition from tradition to modern system of weights. Hence, it doesn't suit China's national conditions if we directly copied western weights system without doing any changes while applying it to China.