Nation and the Writing of History in China and Britain, 1880–1930

Description

Nation and the Writing of History in China and Britain explores, through a comparative approach, the reception of the nationalist worldview and its effects on the practice of history in China and Britain. This book proposes that nationalism, rather than a political doctrine, is a way of making sense of the world which results from the combination of a set of definite assumptions. The work analyzes how each one of these premises was accepted and negotiated by literati, intellectuals, historians, and other scholars in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The results of this research showcase how the reception of the new nationalist worldview crucially affected images of the past, the present, and the future in both societies and decisively framed cultural, social, and political debate. In addition, they likewise evidence the fundamental role that historical narratives play in the crystallization of national identities. This book is perfect for readers interested in China and Britain during this time period, but also to anyone attracted to new ways of conceiving nationalism and its role in our world. Cover Half Title Series Information Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents Acknowledgments Note About Translation Introduction Notes 1 The Mirror of the Nation: The Importance of National Histories Nation and History The Main Assumptions of the Nationalist Worldview Conclusions: Studying National Histories Notes 2 History in China and Britain During the Nineteenth Century A Terra Incognita The Immortal Truths of the Ancients Notes 3 The Age of Disorder: The Breakup of Whig History and Classical Historiography The Dissolution of Classical History Notes 4 The Echo of the Popular Mind: The Nation as a Collective Noiseless Revolutions New History Notes 5 Nations United: The Evolving Politics of National Belonging The People of the Central Country Notes 6 The Quest for National Continuity Notes Conclusions Notes Bibliography Index