| Nationalism has been a major dynamic power in shaping the modern historical changes of overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia. Current academic studies tend to segment this overseas Chinese nationalism (OCN) from the totality of Southeast Asian history to highlight the influence of external factors (mainly from China) in OCN evolution. From the standpoint of overseas Chinese,this paper combines a survey of OCN development during 1912-1928,which was a historical period for OCN crucial change,with a survey of the course of overseas Chinese struggle for survival and growth in the area. The paper seeks to demonstrate that,as a major weapon in the struggle for survival and growth in the local area,OCN has been jointly shaped by the world's "macroclimate" and the Southeast Asian "microclimate".The paper consists of six chapters. Chapter One formulates the emergence of OCN and its characteristics before the revolution of 1911. At the turn of 19/20 centuries,the interplayed result of the influences from China (including the changing policies of Ch'ing government towards overseas Chinese,the propagandizing movement of reformists and revolutionaries in the overseas Chinese community,etc.) and the changing local circumstances (including the enhancement of colonial control by European countries and the rapid economic development in the region,etc) enabled the overseas Chinese to accept forwardly the nationalism as advocated by Sun Yet-sen,etc.Chapter Two mainly describes OCN's developmental characteristics after the winning of Wuchang uprising. When the Chinese Republic was founded in 1912,the brisk atmosphere of democracy in China created new circumstances for OCN's growth. With their political identity with China strengthened,the overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia began to seek protection from the Chinese government. The function of OCN as helping overseas Chinese to develop in the local society was gradually manifested.Chapter Three and Chapter Four focus on the opportunities and challenges that overseas Chinese faced after the outbreak of World War I. During the war,with the boom of local economy,overseas Chinese enjoyed deepening economic integration with the local society,but at the same time,their development in the local area faced increasing barrier. Firstly,the rapid expansion of Japanese influence in the SoutheastAsia posed a direct threat to the survival and development of overseas Chinese in the local society. Secondly,the post-war colonial authorities tightened their control over the overseas Chinese community in order to block the way for Communist power to shed into Southeast Asia and prevent the rising of indigenous nationalist movement Finally,in the gradual rise of Southeast Asian nationalist movement after World War 1,the overseas Chinese were forced to assimilate with the local community and were excluded by the indigenous nationalists. All these impacts brought about fundamental changes in the developmental environment for the overseas Chinese.Chapter Five concentrates on an analysis of the major problems the overseas Chinese faced in their development in the area,which were the new tasks that OCN have to accomplish. After World War 1,with the deepening integration with the indigenous community and the increasing barrier for development in the local area,the old divisive and segregated communication system formed through narrow kinship,territorial and dialect relations was no longer fit in providing adequate protection to the overseas Chinese community. Thus,the masses of overseas Chinese resorted to nationalism as a weapon to carry out the reforming of communication structures within the overseas Chinese community,communication structures with China and with the indigenous community,etc.Chapter Six provides concrete historical materials to demonstrate the reforming function of the OCN as stated above. In this period,overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia launched a series of movements,such as the boycott of Japanese goods,purchasing and using Chinese products,abolishing unequal treaties,e...
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