JOURNAL OF APPLIED BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS
Impacts of Timber Trade on Social Economic Life during the “Ming & Qing” Dynasty in South-western China–– The Evidence from Qingshui River Basin
Author(s): Li Wei, Zhang Yingqiang
Citation: Li Wei, Zhang Yingqiang, (2018) "Impacts of Timber Trade on Social Economic Life during the “Ming & Qing” Dynasty in South-western China–– The Evidence from Qingshui River Basin," Journal of Applied Business and Economics, Vol. 20, Iss.3, pp. 51-61
Article Type: Research paper
Publisher: North American Business Press
Abstract:
This paper is primarily concerned with the Chinese history and rural society, using the example of
Sanmentang village as a case, to illustrate the internal relations of timber trade activities and regional
social change in the downstream areas of Qingshui river basin. It probes into the complicated relationship between nongovernmental contracts and local timber trade during the period of late Ming
dynasty (AD1368-1644) and early Qing dynasty (AD1644-1911) in China. It explores regional social
history, social structure changing process and its main driving factors. The findings reveal the direct
effects of commercial activities on regional economic development, and its indirect impacts on local
community. Findings also reveal the historic significance of stone tablets and contractual documents in
old China. Finally, relationship of “timber trade → economic development → social change” is shown to be evident.