Xinmin Society Of Hunan Modern

The early 20th century was an important transformation period when Hunan became modern and open from traditionalism and unenlightenment The Institute of New Citizens, which was organized by some advanced young intellectuals of Hunan, played a key role in the historical transformation! The thesis is intended to expound and probe into the institute's foundation time and ground, its traits, its place and role in the course of Hunan's modernization.The thesis is divided into three parts.Part I outlines the foundation background and process. During the period of the May Fourth Era, the warlords ran wild and the political scene was turbulent in Hunan. Influenced by the ideological trends of democracy and science in the New Culture Movement, many institutes and different ideological schools came into being in Hunan, thus bringing vitality to the ideological circles, which were unenlightened and depressed. In order to seek the solution to social reform, Mao Tsetung, Cai He-sen, Xiao Zi-sheng and other progressive young people organized the Institute of New Citizens in April 1918 after careful deliberation and long-term preparations.Part II expounds the place and role of the Institute of New Citizens in Hunan's modernization with wide coverage. The main contents come as follows:l.To reform the education of Hunan. It touches upon many aspects, including the education thought, policies, contents and methods. It also deals with the school system and the teaching administration. In this chapter, the writer gives a preliminary exposition of the all-around development education opinions.2.To strive for women's emancipation. In this chapter, the writer mainly exposes and criticizes the feudal ethical oppression and injury to women. The Institute urged women to emancipate themselves, fight for voluntary marriage, public intercourse and equalities of the sexes in politics, economy and education, etc.3.To spread new thought and culture. In order to extricate people from feudal illiteracy and heighten their ideological consciousness, the Institute organized and participated in several Work-study Programs in Russia and France. They published newspapers and magazines to introduce modern democracy and science thought in the West, disseminate Marxism-Leninism and launched debates with non-Marxists, in which they combined Marxist basic viewpoints with Hunan's reform.4.To train many communists in Hunan. After undergoing a series of struggles and practice such as "Learning to achieve skills", "Developing outwards" and reformimg Hunan's society, the members of the Institute ultimately chose Marxism-Leninism and determined to take the road of Russian October Revolution.Part III reveals the main features of the Institute of New Citizens and its contributions to Hunan's modernization in comparison with Young China Institute, Mutual Aid Society, New Trend Society and others. The elementary features incarnate its clear purpose, sound leading group, strict demands on its members and tight organic disciplines. During the period of the May fourth Era, the members of the Institute of New Citizens were not only vigorous forces to reform Hunan but also active initiators and founders of Hunan's modernization.