Foreign Trade Of Cotton Industry And Its Influence In Yangtze River Delta (1912-1936)

Cotton foreign trade in Yangtze River delta changed dramatically from 1912 to 1936, which had significant influence on region economy. This thesis focuses on the cotton foreign trade in Yangtze River delta, examines the changes of cotton import, and analyzes its impact on region economy and the response of region economy. The thesis has five parts.Chapter 1 is an introduction. It explains the main issues of this study, defines those main concepts appearing in this thesis such as "Yangtze River delta" and "cotton foreign trade", reviews the previous research in this topic, and analyzes the frame of the thesis.Chapter 2 examines cotton's import through the amount and value of cotton and its related products and the general situation of cotton import. It also compares the changes of cotton's import in Yangtze River delta with the whole China. This chapter mainly researches into the changing situation of cotton import from 1912 to 1936. According to old Chinese customs historical materials, it works on a systemic summary of the amount and value of cotton import in the Yangtze River delta in order to grasp the changing situation of cotton import. From the beginning of Republic of China to the eve of the Anti-Japanese War, the total value of imported cotton was clearly higher than that of 1868-1911, and there was an obvious ascending trend for the value between 1919 and 1931. There were various types of imported cotton goods. The imported amount of Shirtings and sheetings grey, Drill and Jeans grey, and T-cloth fell badly. Raw cotton importation hovered between 1912-1919, from the end of Europe War to 1931, the amount of importation went up visibly. The import of raw cotton surplused badly.Chapter 3 mainly discusses the impact of cotton products import to the Yangtze River delta. The cotton products import was operated by foreign firms. Relied on the government privilege and the formidable economical influence, foreign firms formed an import network of the cotton industry. Japanese cotton products not only exceeded European and American ones in the Yangtze River delta market, but also pushed aside Chinese hand woven cloth by taking advantage of the European War, the superior geographical position, monoplying cotton industry organization, powerful support from the government and the mobile meticulous marketing method and so on. The domination of imported cotton products and raw cotton in Yangtze River delta market caused the deterioration of hand woven cloth industry, but the quantity of export was still higher than that in 1868 - 1911.The best-sell imported cotton in Yangtze River delta market, as well as the control of Japanese businessmen of the Chinese cotton trade , caused that the cotton foreign trade in Yangtze River delta had contradictory phenomenon. There was not only rich imported cotton , but also quantity of exporting cotton, though export was reducing.Chapter 4 is titled as "the response of Yangtze River delta market". Facing the serious exterior challenge, the Yangtze River delta market also took actions. The government, the cotton and kapok industry associations, businessmen, as well as the cotton growers all had made positive or passive responses. With the import of cotton and kapok products and raw cotton , the traditional cotton and kapok industry was seriously influenced. The government didn't play the role which should have, but it made some effort in tax policy making and the operation of cotton product. The cotton and kapok industry associations may be said to play the backbone role. They appealed the policy to the government, set an example improving the cotton product, carried on teaching the cotton and kapok knowledge , initiated farmers to participate in improving the production and marketing cooperation. In the foreign trade eddy, cotton and kapok businessmen also got along with the world economy. In the most primitive vertex of the cotton and kapok industry chain, the cotton growers also made their own choices, though they were in front of the difficulties.Chapter 5 is the conclusion. The changes of cotton foreign trade since 1912 had a great impact on region economy, which dissolved the strong traditional cotton economy model. That the scale of cotton produce and market was increased due to cotton's foreign trade led to broad changes in economy and showed the new direction of the economy in the country of Yangtze River delta since the first half of the 20th century.In this study, the intrinsic power, unique Countermeasure and the impetus of system environment or the Complex factors of cotton industry foreign trade under the Chinese special national conditions should be paid special attention to. This study will evaluate the economic development of Yangtze River delta region while facing an international economy challenge . This thesis includes five chapters.