1841-1842년 鍾人杰의 亂을 통해서 본 청대 지방사회

Abstract

The eighteenth century was the time of prosperity in East-Asia. In the Qing Dynasty, this period was when the prominent emperors such as Kangxi Emperor, Yongzheng Emperor and Qianlong Emperor seized power and the prosperity continued until early in the nineteenth century. This is why this period called “乾嘉盛世” (1736-1820). As the aspects of prosperity of Qing Dynasty was highlighted, the shadow of it was also contrasted deeply. When the fact that the prosperity will not be lasted ever was realized with the shadow appeared in the regions as the politic power, the aspects of prosperity was proven how it was vain by itself. With nineteenth century coming, Qing Dynasty had to fight against foreign power and deep shadows made by itself. One of its shadows is The Zhong Ren-Jie’s Rebellion which happened in 1841-42 for forty three days which had various meanings with its small size. As compared with about 1, 300 ‘Hyun’s which was basic unit of administration when the population was ten hundred millions and five thousands, the number of Hyun was almost same when the population doubled. It means that the number of population which a Hyun had to control had mounted twice or three times in nineteenth century, comparing to the past. But Qing Dynasty did not try to change its system. As a result, the irregular position(胥吏層) was expanded too much to divide administrative burden in Hyun and lower class in the region were needed to collect tax. The Qing Dynasty was losing practical power to make up for the financial lack because massive foreign expedition in Qianlong emperor period and immense expenditure to repress White Lotus Rebellion. As a result, power of 胥吏and 紳士 was growing to make up for the lack of government administrative and then they collected too much tax and extra one from the public. And the government authority, especially local administrative system at that time did not have practical power to control them. In the end, ‘ Zhong Ren-Jie’s Rebellion’ was one of the violent events happened between 胥吏 and 紳士 during this process.