Late Qing Shanghai People's Social Life And Social Attitudes Change - Of Popular Culture

AbstractIt's out of question that before Opium War Shanghai has been only a small country infilterated by traditional culture. And it's way of life and customs were approximate with that of the other district in South China. China's door was opened after the war. The new way of life and culture were brought into China, especially into Shanghai. From then on, there were some new changes taken place in Shanghai, such as clothing, food, living, travel, folk custom etc, which were companied by changes on men's world view, outlook on life and so on. The reason of these new changes was the influence of western culture. Facing history and reality, people in Shanghai woke up and advanced bravely after suffering and hesitate. By the aid of historical opportunity, Shanghai developed into the first city of China. As a result, Shanghai's people led the trend of change and set a good example for the national transformation.Compared with elite culture, it is easier for popular culture to touch the lowest and deepest part of social life. Because it always shows more aspects of society. Therefore, if you want to know real social state of a certain age or an area fully, it's necessary to study it's popular culture. Research life condition and idea of Shanghai citizen who lived at the later stage of Qing Dynasty. Then you are possible to get an example about how society change accompany with the times. One word, the vicissitude in Shanghai is the track of that in the whole country.