Soybeans and socialism: agrarian transformation in Manchuria, 1935-1965. Throughout the early twentieth century, Manchuria was known for two things: its strategic importance and its soybeans. At the same time that the region was politically and militarily contested, Manchuria also experienced stellar economic growth, propelled in large part by the soy economy. This project aims to analyse the changing importance of soy as Manchuria transitioned from Japanese to Chinese rule. Each established mec ....Soybeans and socialism: agrarian transformation in Manchuria, 1935-1965. Throughout the early twentieth century, Manchuria was known for two things: its strategic importance and its soybeans. At the same time that the region was politically and militarily contested, Manchuria also experienced stellar economic growth, propelled in large part by the soy economy. This project aims to analyse the changing importance of soy as Manchuria transitioned from Japanese to Chinese rule. Each established mechanisms to control the soy economy, direct its proceeds to private wealth and regional development and increase production through development, reorganization or coercion. The Manchurian soy economy was a proving ground for rural policy elsewhere, and demonstrates both its potential and its limitations.Read moreRead less
The Overseas Chinese Water Frontier of Southeast Asia, 1700-1900. This project proposes to view the South China Sea/Gulf of Thailand rim as a single economic region, a "water frontier" that endured for two centuries. Focusing on the Mekong delta and adjacent coasts, it will examine the major roles the Chinese played in the establishment of the Siamese and Vietnamese states. Despite the frontier's marginalisation in the nineteenth century, the populations supplied the manpower and expertise that ....The Overseas Chinese Water Frontier of Southeast Asia, 1700-1900. This project proposes to view the South China Sea/Gulf of Thailand rim as a single economic region, a "water frontier" that endured for two centuries. Focusing on the Mekong delta and adjacent coasts, it will examine the major roles the Chinese played in the establishment of the Siamese and Vietnamese states. Despite the frontier's marginalisation in the nineteenth century, the populations supplied the manpower and expertise that fueled the national and colonial economies which later developed around Saigon, Bangkok and Singapore. Our aim is to restore the "lost" history of this region and its peoples and to set new agendas for future research.Read moreRead less