In Northeast China In The Qing Dynasty Relief And The Poor,

Natural disasters took place frequently in feudal society of China. Qing Dynasty, the last dynasty in China's history, was weak in withstanding natural disasters because of undeveloped scientific and technological level, though its polity and economy had reached the zenith. The remoteness, hiemal climate and formidable natural conditions of the northeastern area of Qing Dynasty resulted in various ceaseless disasters. In the early period of Qing Dynasty, the dynasts carried out closure policy in the northeastern area, in order to protect the cradle of Manchuria and safeguard special interests of Manchurian nobles. However, that closure policy fell flat, but resulted in sparse population and backward economy, which finally made the northeastern area become a target contested by both Japan and Russia. Under the conditions of serious natural and man-made calamities, the dynasts had to carry out necessary salvation policy to help refugees to pull through, with the purpose of sustaining feudal rule and guarding the frontier areas. In addition, Qing government carried out a series of support and relief measures for disadvantaged groups in that society, such as those who have no kin and cannot support themselves. The disadvantaged groups are properly arranged for maintaining social stability. This paper studies disaster relief and succor work in northeastern area of Qing Dynasty, in the hope of taking history as a mirror, keeping its essence and discarding its dross, better serving the disaster relief and succor work in the future, and reducing the loss caused by disasters to the lowest level.