一九二〇年代の蘇州における租佃關係 : 南京國民政府の成立と地主經營

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to clarify the existing conditions, and their transformation, of farm tenancy in Suzhou in the 1920's. This paper also aims to make clear the influence of policies implemented in 1927 by the Nanjing 南京 Nationalist Government in regard to the conditions of farm tenancy. After the Xinhai 辛亥 Revolution, an association of land holders known as Tianyehui 田業會, which played an important role in the collection of land tax, combined with the local government to create a powerful system to collect farm rents. As the income of landowners derived from farm rent increased, the amount of tax incurred with landlords was substantially less than previously. As a result, in the first half of the 1920's, the management of landowners in Suzhou was strengthened. The Suzhou area had not experienced any disorder during the Nationalist Revolution, however, the establishment of the Nationalist Government in Nanjing in 1927 had a great impact on the conditions of farm tenancy. In adopting the policy of "reduction of farm rent by one quarter", the local government served in effect intervened to assist and incite peasants who had been exploited by powerful landowners. The local government also began to collect more money from landowners to spend for modernization. After 1927, the system for the collection of farm rents become partially inoperable, and the struggle between tenants and landlords became much more intense. At this time, the income of landowners in general was also reduced.