Research On Charity In Modern Foshan(1840—1938)

Foshan,rising in the south of the Five Ridges during the Ming and Qing dynasties,was one of the world's four most famous towns in the world and one of the four gatherings in the world.Since it was named"loyalism Township" by The Jingtai Emperor of the Ming Dynasty,Zhu Qiyu,the atmosphere of philanthropicminde behaviors was spread all over the country.The development of charities in modern Foshan is rooted in the soil of its prosperous industry,business,and charity traditions.With the continuous battles,the change of regime,the impact of Western industrial and commercial economy,and frequent natural disasters in modern Foshan.Under the combined effect of donations from local businessmen and the feelings of homesickness of overseas chinese in Foshan,the modern Foshan philanthropy experienced an ups and downs,showing a strong era and regional characteristics.The philanthropy in modern Foshan is divided into two parts:civil charities and official livelihood relief.Among them,non-governmental charitable acts occupy the main position,Officials play more of a guiding role and are far inferior to civil charities.The main subjects of civil charity are local merchants,charitable organizations,and foreign compatriots in Foshan.The former two are more disaster relief and carry out specific tasks,while the latter are more inclined to donate funds.Looking at the modern charity cause in Foshan,due to the turmoil in the country,the government only participated in the rescue at a certain time,and guided and regulatd the development of local charities,but the results were not significant.From the late Qing Dynasty to the early time of the Republic of China,charities in Foshan experienced a shift from traditional charities to philanthropic education and modern charity organizations focused on education and relief.At this time,traditional charities and charity acts had declined and died?At the same time,whether it is the merchants or the overseas compatriots in Foshan and the government in the dimension of charity in Foshan,their charity content all included the following aspects:First,the efforts of disaster relief,the establishment of tea kiosks,the construction of bridge and roads and the use of different levels of righteousness.Second,to help the aged,the weak,the sick and the disabled,as well as socially disadvantaged groups,such as widowers,widows,orphans,childless.The third is to set up the education of righteousness and public medical and health undertakings and actively carry out the activities of giving medicines and medicines.Geographical speciality has made overseas Foshan overseas Chinese outstanding in modern Foshan charities.It has made outstanding contributions in serving mulberry,setting up righteousness education,cultivating embankments,and saving the country.The philanthropy in modern Foshan has achieved great achievements to a certain extent.It has saved tens of thousands of people in poverty and played an important role in alleviating social conflicts and stabilizing local social order.the bridge between overseas Chinese and overseas Chinese in Foshan was built,and the links and exchanges between the two places were strengthened through charitable activities,laying a solid foundation for the construction of Foshan in the new period.However,the morality of human nature was no match for the turmoil of the times.More people experienced the baptism of blood and fire.