The Storm Surge Disasters Along The Coast Of Jiangsu Province And The Social Responses During The Ming And Qing Dynasties

Su and Hu were economically developed areas in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Here is still the Chinese economic center even now. As the region is located in the coastal areas and it is geographically long from north to south and narrow from east to west, it would be inevitably affected by the frequent storm surge whether in ancient times or modern. Historically, Jiangsu frequently harassed by storm surge disasters in fact, which actually caused huge losses.The whole text is divided into three parts. Partâ… ,it is about the profile of storm surge disasters of Jiangsu coastal areas and the characteristics of its temporal and spatial distribution during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The part focuses on spatial-temporal characteristics of storm surges in the region during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. At first, all the historical tidal disasters are separately showed in two forms, which were recorded in the official history and the local history. The tidal disasters in the region can be understood more comprehensively from the statistics during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The readers can also understand easily not only that those big tidal disasters recorded in the official history happened in Jiangsu during the Ming and Qing Dynasties but also it is revealed that this region were often troubled by the tidal disasters . Through the analysis of the statistics about tidal disasters based on the region, the storm surges disasters in the region have the following characteristics: Firstly, most of the tidal disasters in the region were caused by hurricanes and heavy rains. Secondly, at the turn of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the tidal disasters occurred more frequently. Since the mid-18th century, the frequency of the tidal disasters was higher than before. Thirdly, tidal disasters have a close relationship not only with the tide circle and the season but also with the characteristics of the Jiangsu coast in the course of its formation. By the inspection of some specific storm surges disasters in the historical period, the specific characteristics are revealed of the tidal disasters at the mouse of the Yangtze River, and the reader's awareness of the kind of special disaster is deepened. Partâ…¡, it is about the harm of storm surge disasters to society. As storm surges are different from other natural disasters, the serious social consequences will be different accordingly. In this part, the following aspects are focused: First of all, damage to the coastal people's lives and property, which is the most direct harmful consequence. However, because of the different destructive ways of the tidal disasters, the consequences will be different. Secondly, impacts on the economy of the coastal areas. The article focuses on the agriculture and the salt production. The impact on agriculture may be long-term, but on the salt production is devastating. Thirdly, the seawall and the sea shore are affected greatly. It will also cause mutual changes between the land and the sea and become a heavy economic burden because of its damage to the seawall and lives. Finally, storm surge disasters can cause other catastrophes, such as environmental pollution, epidemic plague, and so on. People hardly eliminate their influence in a short time. It needs long time to restore production and life order. Part III, it is about the social responses to storm surges. This part starts from the people's understanding of the tide. By the help of the long-term observation on the local tidal change law, the people have made some brilliant results in fighting with natural disasters. The conclusion is particularly commendable of the law about the wind, tide and other meteorological changes. However, people's awareness of natural disasters was limited because of the limitations of the times, so superstitious activities were inevitable. However, as a realistic means, people still regarded the establishment of the seawall as the primary task. The historical facts of massive seawall construction highlighted the people's contribution of the material and human resources to the fighting with this kind of disasters in this period. The people's achievements and courage were surely affirmed. People's experience of the struggles in the historical period is a valuable asset and still worth learning today.As a natural disaster, people are unable to prevent it from happening. However, in order to stabilize social order and rule, the government must carry out the rescue activities after a tidal disaster. In the end, by the analysis of several relief processes and results, it can be concluded that effectiveness of relief not only depended on the government's reaction speed and appropriate measures but also on the official's incorruptibility and diligence.