The Study Of The Fluctuation Of Silver Prices In The Late Qing Dynasty (1901-1911)

The fluctuation of silver prices is the key to the monetary problems in the late Qing Dynasty, which calls for a more systematic study. On the basis of vast original materials, this dissertation provides an overall research on the fluctuation of silver prices, following the principles of history and economics, from the foreign exchange market of Shanghai.In this article, the author begins with the reasons of the fluctuation of silver prices, then lays the emphasis on two aspects: the reflection and the influence. As for the former, the author pays more attention to the financial market of Shanghai, and analyzes the complicated reflections of the fluctuation of silver prices, probing the general tendency and law, from the short-time and long-time, longitudinal and lateral perspectives. To the latter, the author explores the influences to the Qing Dynasty's indemnity, taxes, finance, commerce and daily prices caused by the fluctuation of silver prices. In the end, the author comes to a conclusion: the disorderly monetary system is the deep factor of the social turbulence and changes in the late Qing Dynasty, therefore, it's crucial for a transitional society to establish a sound and united monetary system.