Research On Chongqing Businessmen And Local Society In Ming And Qing Dynasties

In recent years,businessmen in the Ming and Qing Dynasties have been the focus of researchers in the field of Socioeconomic History and abundant research results are achieved.But research on southwest Chongqing businessmen in this period is limited.The economic development during the Ming and Qing Dynasties has also caused impact on Chongqing businessmen.In this period,the Chongqing businessmen composed of both immigrant and local businessmen rapidly rose to be famous star in business.Therefore,the researcher collects businessmen data from chronicles,inscriptions,and archives and refers to previous researches to make a systematic study on the development and management characteristics of Chongqing businessmen in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.In addition,the researcher also employs the “Field Theory of Power” to explore the interactive relations between local society and businessmen of Chongqing as one of the main bodies of local society.In the introductory part of this thesis,the researcher explains the research background and significance of this topic,sorts out the related researches,and defines the concepts of “Ming and Qing”,“Chongqing”,“Chongqing businessmen” and“local society”.In addition,the research methods are also included.The first chapter mainly explores the reasons for the rise,development process and geographical distribution of Chongqing businessmen in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.First,Chongqing businessmen have sprung up,which owes to the Chongqing’s population growth,economic recovery,changes in policies and concepts,improved transportation,and Chongqing’s geographical advantages and product resources.Second,the development process of Chongqing businessmen in the Ming and Qing Dynasties is as follows: Chongqing businessmen gradually gained their vitality in the early and middle Ming dynasties and developed in the late Ming dynasty.But they were hit again and returned to the starting point in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties;Then,during the Shunzhi,Kangxi,and Yongzheng periods of the Qing Dynasty,Chongqing businessmen quickly recovered and gradually developed;Following,during the period of Qianlong,Jiaqing,and Daoguang,Chongqing businessmen rose rapidly to the peak of businessmen in feudal society;After Chongqing’s opening-up,Chongqing businessmen gradually transformed into modernized businessmen.Third,in the Ming and Qing Dynasties,the businessmen of Chongqing were populated along the land and water transportation and in the states or counties with neighboring provinces.Because the distribution of businessmen is directly related to the geographical location,topography,product resources,traffic conditions,and economic development of the area and surrounding areas.The second chapter discusses the business characteristics of Chongqing businessmen in Ming and Qing dynasties according to business categories,business methods and business organizations.Before the opening-up,Chongqing businessmen were mainly engaged in selling articles of everyday use,such as grain,cotton,medicinal materials,salt,and groceries.After the port is opened,Chongqing businessmen began to sell goods exported from foreign countries,but also goods produced by domestic producers.In terms of business methods,there are more peddler in Chongqing than shopkeeper,and they relied on ferries and docks to engage in large-scale merchandise re-export trades.After opening the port,Chongqing local businessmen began to cooperate with foreign businessmen.As for the organizational forms,businessmen in Chongqing have various forms.The more common forms were guilds,trade associations,businessmen halls,chambers of commerce;Chongqing businessmen also set up a complete system.Especially,the rule of leader election and the way of rule formation facilitates Chongqing commodity to develop toward to contract organization.The organizational functions of businessmen have been continuously expanded as well.Previously,the businessmen organization only performs function in building bridge between villages and protecting interests of businessmen.Gradually,they could participate in the construction and governance of local society.The third chapter discusses the interactive relations between local society and businessmen of Chongqing based on the “Field Theory of Power” of Pierre Bourdieu.On the one hand,Chongqing businessmen,as one of the main powers of local social power,act on all aspects of local society.Mainly manifested wove the market system,adjusted the surplus of commodities and maintained the market operation;mediated disputes in the neighborhood,defended local social security,relieved of local poverty,donated to build infrastructure;invested in educational facilities,supported Confucian scholars,educated local people,and negatively promoted the extravagant style.On the other hand,local society also affected businessman,which was mainly from the attitude of local people and regional features.The conclusion summarizes both the positive and negative historical role played by Chongqing businessmen in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.As for the role played by Chongqing businessman,the positive role of businessmen’s participation in local society is primary,and the negative role is secondary.The researcher further explores the implication enlightened by the interaction between Chongqing businessmen and local society in the Ming and Qing Dynasties,and aims to provide references for future generations of businessmen to deal with the relationship with local society.