The Keqiao Chamber Of Commerce And Local Society (1931-1937)

The history of Chamber of Commerce has been the central issue in the academic field since 1980’s.With the arrangement and the publication of the merchant organization archives,starting from the study of Shanghai,Tianjin,Suzhou Chamber of Commerce,the research of the history of merchant organizations has been get tremendous achievements.Guild by the theory of network,the paper based on the historical archives and newspapers,form the perspective of local history,the object of the this paper is the modern keqiao Chamber of Commerce(1931-1937).Through the research on the evolution and operating mechanism of Keqiao Chamber of Commerce.Seeking its influence on promoting the development of the Keqiao town.The foundation of the Keqiao Chamber of Commerce was closely related to the prosperity of commodity economy of modern Keqiao.Accordingly,since Keqiao Chamber of Commerce was established,it played a crucial role to promote the prosperity of the market.Through the meeting,communication and newspaper,Keqiao Chamber of Commerce has established close ties with other Chamber of Commerce,in the other word,a multilayer merchant network system has been build.The Chamber network system interact with business networks,thus promoting the regional economic development.As the most powerful economic groups in the Keqiao,government need Keqiao Chamber of Commerce to levy taxes,to promote the improvement of the municipal building and maintenance of social order,developing public welfare.Meanwhile,facing the unreasonable tax policy and unlawful tax behavior took by the government and tax bureau,as the behalf of businessmen representative,it would fight for the businessmen’s lawful rights and interests with the government.Thus,Keqiao Chamber of Commerce as the lowest level organization in the Chamber network system,but it provides an important channel to communicate between with county government and basic-level society.