Pioneering Work, The Writing Process Of The 1911 Revolution History

The 1911 Revolution History is the academic work of the Revolution of 1911 study,published in Mainland China early 1980s. The work was issued under Zhang Kaiyuan and Lin Zengping's general editorship, and the editor of each volume was worked respectively by Xiao Zhizhi, Feng Zuyi, Liu Wangling, Kui Yingtao, Wu Yan'nan and Wang Tianjiang. After the publishment of The 1911 Revolution History, the academic work caused a great deal of attention not only in Mainland China academia, but also in the research worldwide. The work was honored as the most system with the biggest space in the study of the Revolution of 1911.The academic work was proposed to write by Lin Yanjiao who was an editor of People's Publishing House at the later stage of the Cultural Revolution. Lin Yanjiao appreciated Zhang Kaiyuan's research results in his research field of the Revolution of 1911, therefore he asked Zhang as the leader of the scholars from Hubei, Hunan, Henan,Sichuan and Guizhou province, and they formed a compile group with the party branch and worker-peasant-soldiers. The compile group under Three-Combination is an important manifestation of the characteristics of the times. The writing work had experienced four stages. The elementary step of the writing was "Changsha meeting" in November 1976. The compile group developed the first draft outline and determined the division of the writing,worked in the groping. In April 1977, "Guiyang meeting" was a midterm meeting, which adjusted the distribution of the writing. After three months'writing, the discussion was carried out in "Guiyang meeting",which made the manuscript style be unified. At the end of October 1977, "Chengdu meeting" was held for first draft discussing. This meeting not only finished eighty percent of the first draft writing, but also made it clear for the writing direction of the future. In June 1978, a long time finalized work was started in Beijing Normal University. In 1981, The 1911 Revolution History,1.2 million words in three volumes, was finally completed. In the three meetings, the questions of Society's principle contradiction, evaluation of the bourgeoisie, routes struggle and the masses of workers and peasant role were discussed repetitively but not cliche. The spirit and ideas of scholars were changing constantly with eliminating the poisonous influence of the "Gang of four" and overcoming the left leaning. From the attitude of the bourgeoisie "based on the batch" to affirm its leadership role in the revolution, they showed the state of breaking the yoke after an objective and impartial attitude. This can be seen as a microcosm of historians' changes in cognitive level and mentality after the Cultural Revolution. The problems which repeated discussion were important issues in the development of Marxist historiography. They also were results of Marxist historiography in the dominant position in the study of the history of the 1911 Revolution.Under the guidance of Marxism, The 1911 Revolution History has made a breakthrough in the research methods and research perspective. The publication of this book makes the research of the Revolution of 1911 in Mainland China out of its original situation as pamphlet. It also becomes an academic cornerstone of its editors. During the compilation of the book, the compile group set up the institution of history the 1911 Revolution which has played a great role in promoting academic exchanges. The seminar will play a great role in promoting academic exchanges. The process of The 1911 Revolution History provides experiences for today's academic research and writing. The scholars headed by Zhang Kaiyuan used their courage to relentless pursuit of truth,although in the bad political environment. The scholars of draft group motivate following researchers with their persistence and serious.