Late Qing Famine And Mitigation Measures Discussed

Natural disasters are phenomena caused by nature which can make loss to life, property as well as the surrounding social environment. To reduce natural disasters is ,on the premise of obeying natural and social development laws, to diminish the disasterous probability and to weaken the dreadful consequences by means of science and technology, economy and administration. Zhi Li Was one of the few provinces in the late Qing Dynasty that were frequently invaded by natural disasters. It is a most grave problem faced and to be faced by the people of He Bei (ZhiLi)and even the whole China. Therefore, to get informed of the time and space range of natural disasters, to prevent and minimize them, to aftercare the refugees, to renew production and to safeguard social stability after the famines, are of great importance. This paper, consisting of three parts, attempts to do some research and analysis work on these problems. The first part talks about the serious famine in ZhiLi during the late Qing Dynasty and analyzes its time and space range by taking the examples of flood and drought. The second part dwells on consequences of natural disasters. They not only result in the decline of social economy, the emigration or death of local residents, public disorder and the deepened social contradiction, but also, cause abnormal social psychology. In the third part, some methods of reducing natural disasters are raised, both traditional and some improved steps are included. The fund and goods against famine mainly come from central government, the local government and nongovernment donation. The execution of them can take effect to some extent.