Shandong Land Conditon And Rural Society Of The Republic Of China (1912-1937)

The land is the foundation of rural economy. Land distribution is the core ofthe land problem, which determines the basic features of rural social productionrelations, interests and social relations, as well as an important way to the researchof the rural society,But since the modern times, there have been frequent changes of landownership, with land concentrated and distributed in two ways, which acceleratedthe changes of rural society in Shandong, especially the changes in the internalstructure of rural society. Therefore, this paper aims to analyze the land ownershipand its changes caused by the changes of the rural society, based on the landownership status in Shandong in modern times. The following aspects are to bediscussed in the paper:First, the analysis of the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China landdistribution and the relationship between man and land enables us to learn aboutthe evolution of Shandong land distribution, and the distribution of the land amongvarious classes. Meanwhile, social relations arising from the land, such as tenancy,land tax and employment need to be analyzed and researched. Second, theinfluences on the changes of land ownership are to be explored from the aspects ofnatural factors, social factors and political factors, and how they lead to landevolution. Third, combined with the literature research and field investigation,economic situation and trend of the changes of land ownership in Shandong duringthe Republic of China is to be analyzed, with the focus on land distribution indifferent areas of Shandong, as well as a brief understanding of the farmers’ livingconditions in different areas. Fourth, the impacts of changes of land ownership on rural economy are to be deeply studied, from the perspective of peasant life,lending relationship and rent form farm. Fifth, the paper introduces therelationship between the changes of land ownership and control of rural society,the changes of village boundary, the declining of clan and weakening control ofrural society, and the expansion of peasants leaved villages, which all withoutexception have something to do with land ownership changes.In conclusion, changes of land conditiom and rural society are mutual, andcan not be separated from each other. This paper is written with the hope thatthrough the analysis of Shandong land conditon and rural society of this periodpeople can gain a better understanding of this period of history of Shandong,especially the changes in the rural society.