Tradition And Transformation: The Urban Handicraft Industry Under Industrialization In Jinan In The Modern Period, 1901-1937

The modern changes of the city was an important part of social change in modern China. And one important aspect of the city's modern changes was the transformation of urban economic function, which was from the traditional consumption of urban function to productive function. Modern cities were important places of productive activities, took an important role in promoting the industrialization. In the age of industrialization, handicraft industry still occupied an important position in the areas of urban production, and had played an important role. In the modern transformation of Jinan, urban handicrafts experienced unprecedented changes and development. This article studies the reasons for these changes, their connotation and the significance to the economic and social development of Jinan. We also give an analysis of the obstacles which the urban handicraft industry faced.We consider that the development of urban handicraft industry of Jinan in first half of the 20th century was the result of industrialization, market, businessmen, government and other factors, in which government had played a leading role, market had played an oriented role, merchant was the subject of the change of handicrafts' development and industrialization created the conditions for the development of handicraft industry. The development of urban handicraft industry in Jinan was not only the growth in number but also the changes in the structure of the industry. In terms of technology, the handicraft industry in Jinan was mixed with the old technology and the new technology. With the development of handicrafts, handicraft industry organizations realized the transformation from the traditional guild to modern guild, but the course of inherent change was deeply influenced by the level handicraft industry developed. The development of handicrafts also caused the evolution of the relationship between industries. In a word, in the first half of the 20th century urban handicraft industry of Jinan had a big transformation, mixture of tradition and modernity was the quality of it.The development of handicraft industry in Jinan faced political instability, changes in market conditions and lack of funds, technology, talents, and many other factors which hindered the development of it. Restrictive factors in the development of handicraft industry in Jinan makes clear that a stable political and economic environment are indispensable conditions for economic development. And creating a modern government that can promote economic development and the modern transformation of traditional craftsmen and businessmen are the problems that need to be solved immediately in the process of transformation and development of traditional cities.The development of handicraft industry in Jinan had a great impact on Jinan's socio-economic changes. Urban handicrafts'development made Jinan as a handicraft industry city, and enriched the content of industrialization in Jinan. Handicraft industry's development absorbed a large number of population employment in cities, which contributed to the changes of population structure in Jinan. Though the economic development didn't brought a growth in the handicraft workers'wealth and their possession of property. Urban handicraft workers existed as urban disadvantaged groups. But from the perspective of social development, urban handicraft industry offered a lot of employment opportunities, relieved the social tension in Jinan, and maintained the stability of the urban community.