蔣廷黻 『中國近代史』(1938)의 재검토

Abstract

This paper examines the perspectives, narratives, and arguments in the Chinese Modern History(1938) by Jiang Tingfu (1896-1965), a Chinese historian and diplomat. By doing so, I would like to explore problems such as how this book, which has many limitations, can be read from the perspective of today and what this book can mean if it is still meaningful today. This book was written in a specific political situation as a high-ranking bureaucrat within the Nanjing Nationalist Government right after the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War. Containing a clear perspective and message, and thus very controversial, this book, although it drew much attention since its publication, has been virtually forgotten in mainland China since the establishment of the People's Republic of China. However after Post Mao China, this book has been reevaluated in the process of seeking the possibility of a new historical interpretation to more adequately explain the changed reality along with the decline of the socialist revolutionary ideology and the rise of China as s G2 superpower. This article was developed in the manner of a detailed review of Jiang Tingfu's book, and the narrative structure of his book was reviewed in three aspects: modernization, nationalism, and literati culture. As a result, it can be seen that this book provides a wealth of thought in the arena of today's history education and in relation to narrative strategies that drive readers’ perception of history. By relying on his problem consciousness and perspective raised by this book, we can use it as an opportunity to newly reflect on the old issues of the study of modern Chinese history.