ABSTRACT
In China the systematic study of the materials of economic history, on modern lines, began with the political movement of Chinese Nationalism in the years 1925–7. Nationalists were hopeful of achieving, with the aid of Western scientific methods, a fresh understanding and justification of their own country’s history and individuality. The political movement of 1925–7 was unsuccessful, from the point of view of the intelligentsia; it left China little, if any, nearer to the progressive state they desired. ‘Self-criticism’ became the rule and sign of the times in educated circles. Social and economic history and theory were subjects much in vogue. An excellent summary for the Western student, referring particularly to this phase, is Wang Yu-Chuan’s article in English in Pacific Affairs, 1938 (1) .
