Research On Fengyang Famine In Ming Dynasty

Fengyang Prefecture was the birthplace of Zhu Yuanzhang,where had a special status in the Ming Dynasty. Compared to other places, the records of Fengyang Prefecture were more detailed and accurate in the Ming Dynasty. So I selected Fengyang Prefecture of Ming dynasty as object to research the Famine.Fengyang Prefecture was located in the Huaihe River valley, with complex terrain, many rivers and lakes, plus the complicated and ever-changing climate, easily causing floods, drought, locusts and other natural disasters, especially floods and drought. Fengyang Prefecture's frequent natural disasters resulted in great psychological panic to local people, so many people to flee, the amount of barren land was increased, and at last, the social development was influenced deeply. But in the late of Ming Dynasty, Due to the annexation of land, and other reasons, man-made disaster was followed by the natural disasters in Fengyang Prefecture, all the reasons caused a greater social unrest.The Ming official gave extra attention to natural disasters in Fengyang Prefecture, took advantage of various measures, such as tax-free, relieve the people in stricken areas, to alleviate the plight of local people affected. The Government's implementation of that series of relief measures, saved the lives of countless people, safeguarded the social stability, also maintained its own feudal government.The Ming official also gave full play to the strength of civil society, supported to establish civil granary and social warehouse, encouraged the rich to help the poor relieve the disaster.Finally, this paper pointed out that since the " visitation of Providence " sometimes inevitable, then, we should do everything possible to avoid a "man-made disaster", take appropriate measures to prevent the disaster. Combine the Government and the Civil forces to overcome the obstacles of poverty.