The Trade Between Hubei And Shaanxi Provinces During The Later Qing Dynasty——Shaanxi As The Center

Because of the special location, Hubei and Shaanxi provinces had the natural trade relations in the past time. Especially in the middle time of the Qing dynasty, with the exploitation of the Qinling and Bashan Mountains, their trade relations were reinforced. In the following time, although it was weak in a sense, it still had quite a scale. The research about this topic will be helpful to the exploitation of the west China in our days.So far, the research on this field is not enough. It was just discussed in some areas. The total trade research between Hubei and Shaanxi during the later Qing dynasty is lacking. This is the reason why I choose it. The dissertation contains 6 parts.1. The structures, patterns and scales of the bilateral trade. In this part, by means of economy and calculation, author elaborated that the two-way trade had established during the later Qing dynasty. More handicrafts and imported goods were transported into Shaanxi. At the same time, the local products, such as lacquer oil, animal skin, etc. were still carried down by the Hanjiang River. Based on the water transportation, two main trade routes were formed. One was eastern route from Hubei to Shangzhou, Guanzhong; another was southern route, it reached Xing'an and Hanzhong. The former was more important. Most of goods were transported through it.2. Space-time features of the bilateral trade. In a long run, the trade relations were strengthened, but in one year, seasonal difference existed. The market was various. It contained 4 styles, such as staple, primary, town and country markets. It was worth paying attention to the "Backwash effects" which happened in the trade. In this part, author also expounded the unbalance of the bilateral trade among the different areas of Shaanxi.3. The government, small producers and merchants in the bilateral trade. With the development of commodity economy, merchants played the main roles in business affairs. Except levying taxes, government didn't take part in business directly. In the corresponding period, small producers maintained close links with the trade.-III-4. The analysis of factors which were restricted to the trade. Besides the natural factors, author thought that the social factors, such as war, conservative policy, seriously limited the development of the trade. Meanwhile, the imported goods, international market and comprador were also restricted to the trade between Shaanxi and Hubei.5. The end. Author discussed the relations between the bilateral trade and the changes in country society. The conclusion was that great changes had happened, including the peasant's production patterns and life styles, the social custom and the sense of value, particularly the economical system of country.In a word, during the later Qing dynasty, the bilateral trade made Shaanxi and Hubei connected firmly. Compared with the middle time of Qing dynasty, the later trade had more styles and more substantial content. Above all, the bilateral trade made the southeast and northwest combined with each other.