Living and Working in Wartime China

During World War II,the Chinese people experienced various regimes, including occupation governments, Chinese Nationalists, and Chinese Communists, which demanded and glorified the full commitment of the people and their resources in the prosecution of the war. This book highlights the enormous gap between the leaderships demands and the reality of everyday life, as the Chinese populace resorted to localized strategies such as stoic adaptation, cynical profiteering, and spiritual resistance. These strategies impacted the people of China for years to come, as millions were subjects of disciplinary regimes that dictated the celebration of holidays, the films available for viewing, the stories told in tea houses, and the restrictions governing the daily operations and participants of businesses.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 314 pages
Publication date: 30 April 2023
Publisher: University of Hawai'i Press

From 1937 to 1945,China experienced the devastating impact of the Japanese invasion during World War II. This essay collection delves into the experiences of the Chinese people during this period, shedding light on their daily lives and working conditions under the various regimes that ruled a divided China. Each regime, including the occupation governments, Chinese Nationalists, and Chinese Communists, demanded and glorified the full commitment of the people and their resources in the prosecution of the war. However, the gap between the leaderships demands and the reality of everyday life became increasingly apparent as the war dragged on for eight long years.

The unrealistic nature of elite demands for unreserved commitment was exposed as the political leaders faced numerous obstacles in material mobilization and retreated to rhetoric of spiritual resistance. The Chinese populace, in turn, resorted to localized strategies to navigate the challenges of war. These strategies ranged from stoic adaptation to cynical profiteering, articulated with touches of humor and tragedy. The stories of individuals from different classes and levels of involvement in living, working, and trying to work through the war under the different regimes provide a rich insight into these localized strategies.

In less than a decade, millions of Chinese were subjected to disciplinary regimes that dictated the celebration of holidays, the films available for viewing, the stories told in tea houses, and the restrictions governing the daily operations and participants of businesses. These measures had a profound impact on the people of China, shaping their lives for years to come. This volume seeks to understand the perspectives of both sides of the war and its total outcomes by examining the narratives of those affected by the war and the regimes.

Living and Working in Wartime China paints a vivid picture of the brutal micromanagement of ordinary lives, devoid of compelling national purpos. The war brought about immense suffering and hardship, as the Chinese people faced displacement, starvation, and disease. The regimes imposed stringent control over every aspect of life, leaving little room for individual expression or autonomy. The people were forced to adapt to a new reality, where their freedom and dignity were constantly threatened.

Despite the hardships, the Chinese people showed remarkable resilience and creativity in their struggle to survive. They formed underground networks to smuggle goods and information, and they organized resistance movements against the Japanese occupiers. They also developed their own industries and agriculture to support themselves and their families. The war also brought about a sense of unity and camaraderie among the Chinese people, as they faced common challenges and worked together to overcome them.

However, the war also had a lasting impact on the Chinese psyche. The trauma of displacement, loss, and violence left deep scars, and many individuals struggled with mental health issues. The regimes' propaganda and censorship further exacerbated these issues, as they sought to control the narrative and suppress any opposition to their rule.

In conclusion, Living and Working in Wartime China is a powerful and poignant collection of essays that provides a glimpse into the lives of the Chinese people during the Japanese invasion of World War II. Through the stories of ordinary people and mid-level technocrats, the book highlights the enormous gap between the leaderships demands and the reality of everyday life. The war exposed the unrealistic nature of elite demands for unreserved commitment and brought about immense suffering and hardship. However, it also demonstrated the resilience and creativity of the Chinese people in their struggle to survive and their determination to rebuild their country after the war.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780824893156