Origin And Governing Of Shandong Banditry In History

During the modern times, Shandong was a serious bandit region in China. The Shandong banditry was famous for multitudinous banditry population, widespread areas, enormous influence, strict organization and well equipment. This social group existed and developed with Modern China, and also it has various existing reasons. This paper, based on the knowledge of sociology, criminal psychology and legal science, makes a basic discussion on the existing reasons of bandit community and the governing strategies toward this special group. Through these analyses and the research, the author intends to point out intrinsic essential banditry order, living condition, psychological characteristics, metamorphic character and screwy value orientation in order to initiate reflection toward the prevention and containment of similar violent crime in today's society.The creating reasons for Shandong banditry in modern times are extremely complex such as dark politics, laggard economy, corrupt government, tangled warlord fights, frequently occurred natural disasters, special natural environment, historical culture inheritance, intrepid Shandong folkway, intervention of western countries, and utilization of Japanese government. For example, there are mountainous regions in Shandong and watery areas in Southwest Shandong, and such geographical environment like these provided covert hiding places for banditry. The romantic description and detailed analysis of bandit tactic in Outlaws of Marsh-A Literary Masterpiece of Ancient China, accidentally became psychic support and tactical instruction for the creation of banditry. Intrepid Shandong folkway and tend of "esteemed martial arts" formed psychological characteristics of Shandong banditry; opium addiction lured some people into banditry; the unreasonable marital structure and legal system impelled people to become bandits in order to evade social unfairness; the sufficient weapon supporting causes Shandong banditry battle-effective.In Shandong during turbulent political modern times, different foreign country forces, according to their different needs, adopted different strategies toward Shandong banditry: Missionary won bandits' favorable impression because of charitable semblance and unique protective function, and in this way missionary used banditry as the medium of expanding missionary influence. Aimed of provoking international conflict and interfering Chinese internal affairs. the large forces repeatedly took Foreign Hostages Event as an excuse and declared that modern Chinese government was incapable to protect foreigners' safety. As the backing force of Shandong banditry, Japanese government, dreaming of owning Shandong, provided comprehensive help in aspect of weapon, personnel, etc, and thus made chaotic situations using the banditry to achieve its secretive political aim. During Invasion War of China period, the bandit forces turned into Japanese pioneer force and important manpower of Japanese Army.Modern Shandong government held different opinions towards Shandong banditry and received different effects: Zhang Shuyuan, Zheng Shiqi, and Han Fuju suppressed bandits and obtained effective results. After Train-Kidnapping Event. Tian Zhongyu became the political sacrificial victim (whom the Beiyang government carried to curry favor with foreign powers) and was compelled to leave office. Zhang Zongchang, with bandit family background, was busy with tangled warlord fights instead of bandit suppression, making civilians hard to live and banditry rampant to enlarge.The Chinese Communists, according to different needs for development during different revolution situations, adopted different strategies which were applied to several revolutions: using the banditry to start insurrection during Great Revolution and Agrarian Revolution; uniting the banditry to strike Japanese army during the Sino-Japanese War period. On balance, banditry-strategy of Chinese Communist Party is effective and successful.In brief, the Shandong banditry in modern times was an important political power which had a direct impact on Shandong society. This paper makes a basic discussion on the origin of bandit community and the governing strategies toward this special group, which is helpful for us to have a thorough comprehension of modern Shandong history, to deepen the understanding of distorted society in modern times and to further the research of modern Shandong history. The research of modern Shandong banditry is also helpful to make a thorough study of criminal reason and psychology, to form a peaceful social society, and to prevent similar violent crimes in today's society. Therefore, this paper offers some boons to maintain social stability, which has an important practical significance for harmonious society and concordant Shandong.