The Calamity-Driven Migrations Of Henan From 1920 To 1937

During the period from 1920 to 1937, subject to the frequent strikes of droughts and floods, of wars and banditries, the mid-China province Henan saw a great continuous out-flow of its population; today this historical migration trend provides a highly representative research subject for historians. Although much attention has been given to this subject in the passing years, much work available has been either too general description on the whole period of history, or too restricted discussion on several specific incidences, and there have rarely emerged complete and thorough investigations. Motivated by this situation and also by the works already finished, this thesis will present a detailed account of major natural disasters and social disorders which struck Henan province during 1920 to 1937, followed by a detailed analysis of the relationship between these calamities and the migration trends. Through the study of these spontaneous and organized migrations of Henan population during this period, the author wishes to discover the characteristics of these calamity-driven transferences of Henan population, and further on to explore the long-term influences that these great migrations would bring to the various aspects of the contemporay society.