The Historical Theory And Practice Of Xiao Yishan

Xiao Yishan was a famous expert in history of the Qing Dynasty in the Republic Period. Researches, done by academic community, mainly focused on his masterpiece The General History of Qing Dynasty. And achievements of those researches occurred after1980s. As far as history is concerned, things such as Xiao’s history accumulation, his comparison study in history features and his subsequent influence on history study shouldn’t be neglected. They have been key points to know and judge this great master in story of Qing Dynasty.Xiao Yishan was born in a rich family. Being nurtured by traditional Chinese culture had crucial effect on his formative education. Since he was exposured to modern academy at his youth and influenced by scholars greatly, such as Liang Qichao, he should finish first part of The General History of Qing Dynasty on his own at the age of21, this was an “miracle in history”. Besides, his study of history was also affected by some statesmen. For example, political ideas of Cai Yuanpei and Sun Yat-sen are reflected in his works. What’s more, he made great contribution to the study of historical materials. He owed his success to economical support from Chiang Kai-Shek.Xiao Yishan’s uniqueness in history study will manifest itself after being compared with other contemporaries. Such comparative research includes comparison of genre and style in The General History of Qing Dynasty and The History of Qing Dynasty; comparison between his “National Revolutionary view of history” and Meng Sen’s “Republic of five nationalities history”. Xiao also had different opinions on specific questions with other scholars, such as Jiang Qianlin. Differences includes their different judgments on Li Hongzhang and views on Boxer Rebellion. People have acknowledged his contribution to the study of historical materials and compared him with Luo Ergang, a master in area of historical materials. Through these comparative researches, people are able to have multi-perspective on him and his achievements. Such study can not only show Xiao’s unique opinion, but also help to analyze common points in study of Qing Dynasty. It is of great benefit to insight the direction of this study.Though not knowing successors of his study exactly, people can also see his features reflected in later scholars’ works. Xiao Yishan had varying degrees of influence on later scholars, such as Li Guangtao, Fan Wenlan and Huang xianfan. To name exactly, Li Guangtao, Fan Wenlan and Zheng Tianting’s response to “National Revolutionary view of history”; Luo Gang’s idea “humanism is the objective of culture study”; Huang Xianfan’s approval of the academic idea “practical utility” all reflected Xiao Yishan’s essence of theory. Works of those scholars are not only exploration to historical questions, but also affirmation to Xiao’s historical theory.