Study On The Civil Rights Movement In The Modern Shanghai International Settlement(1905-1930)

Since 1843 to 1945, the history of Shanghai International settlements had witnessed great development on modern China history, including politics, economy and culture. In recent years, the academic penetrate into the concrete and delicate problems with Shanghai International Settlement history, but research on the relationship between Chinese and foreigners within this district haven’t been touched by many researchers. This paper took civil rights movement(from 1905 to 1930, hereafter referred to as " civil rights movement ") in Shanghai International Settlement as a starting point, restored specific historical scenario of the movement, through deep analysis of this movement, spied on the context of the relationship between Chinese and foreigners and disclose the implication problems. civil rights movement occurred under the background of Invasion of China by foreign powers, the Chinese in the Settlement carried out a fight for their rights on civil affairs. The outbreak and progressive development of the movement was the result of various forces. The ongoing growth of Chinese population, the prosperity of Chinese community and the development in the Settlement all provided conditions for the movement; Before 1905, the concept of Chinese should participate political process provided a struggling method for Chinese; What’s more, imbalance between tax burdens and interests enjoy of Chinese in Settlement made the outbreak of the movement inevitable; Furthermore, the awakening of political participation among public Chinese civil offered the abundant spiritual nourishment throughout the movement. Longitudinally, the process of the movement mainly experienced three stages:the period of the Chinese Businessmen Council, the period of Chinese Advisory Committee and the period when Chinese Directors entered the Municipal Council. In the three stages, the power between Chinese and foreigner ebb and flow, but overall, there has been a shift in power away from foreigners and toward Chinese. Synchronously, various classes were involved into the movement within the Settlement. From the Chinese aspect, as the efforts move forward during this movement, Shanghai Street Business League which belong to lower middle-class business chamber has played a mainstay role. This reflected the growing awareness of political participation in the modern times among merchants. While on the foreigner’s side, the Municipal Council, one of the municipal authorities, play an important role in civil rights movement. Fearing the enhancing Chinese force make it tried to hinder the development of the movement. But World trend goes forward with great vigor and strength, ones conform to the law will live, others violate against it will be perished. Finally, the Chinese push past those obstacles, confines and restraints which foreigners set apart, Chinese as well as foreigners participating in the civil politics broke western predominance in the Settlement.Although this movement didn’t achieve the ultimate goal of resumption of sovereignty and territory, also failed to radically change the unequal status between the Chinese and foreigners, but as a struggle against foreigners, it reflect how patriotic Chinese are. Meanwhile, the frustration and failure made us aware of the lesson that lagging behind leaves one vulnerable to be oppressed, only to keep pace with the times can a nation be self-reliant in the world!...