A Study On The Disasters In Shaanxi During The Song And Yuan Dynasties

Disasters in Shaanxi province occurred frequetly during Song-Yuan period. In the 408 years of history, natural disasters had taken place more than 380 times. The author collected materials of disasters in Shaanxi province from historical records, literary works, notes and inscriptions etc.By analyzing those materials, the author reappears the situation of disaster in Shaanxi area, social life under the influence of the disaster as well as the mutual help and self-help measures between government and citizens. Hence, the author intends to reveal the relationship between human and geographical environment during Song-yuan period from the perspective of historical natural disasters and their influences on the society.The thesis consists of six chapters:The first chapter is the introduction of the whole thesis, including significance of the thesis, review of the related studies and method.The second chapter refers to the interpretation of Shaanxi geography condition during Song-yuan period, including location, range, area, climate, topography, hydrology and range of Shaanxi both in time and space during Song-yuan period. In addition, the author discusses the social background of Shaanxi from social factors such as economy, population, cultural, education and war etc.The above research shows the disaster-pregnant environments of Shaanxi province during Song-yuan period.The third chapter serves as an overall introduction of disasters in Shaanxi province during Song-yuan period. The author explores types, characteristics, frequency and time and space distribution of disasters in Shaanxi province during Song-yuan period. It follows the discussion of famine on the ground that all kinds of disasters could lead to famine. On the contrary, the disaster and famine could reflect the general situation of the historical disasters to some extent.The forth chapter mainly focuses on the disasters in central Shaanxi plain. The author analyzes the frequency of various disasters in central Shaanxi plain and comes to an conclusion that the heaviest disaster points to drought and flood the second. Then the author focuses on the drought, flood and climate condition at that time. By analysis and discussion of central Shaanxi plain, the author points out the climate condition in northwest China then.Then it follows to the fifth chapter.The author discusses social problem in Shaanxi province during Song-yuan period caused by natural disasters from three perspectives, which are economical and social damages, migration problems and faith and prayer in facing natural disasters.The sixth chapter mainly discusses the countermeasures of natural disaster from the official government and the folk to reflect the response of natural disaster in Shaanxi province during Song-yuan period.