The book examines the Merchant Movement, a significant yet understudied dimension of the Chinese National Revolution. Initiated largely by the Kuomintang (KMT), the movement sought to mobilize small and medium-sized merchants through newly established Merchant Associations, thereby bolstering revolutionary efforts while marginalizing compradors and major merchants. Despite its contemporary relevance, the Merchant Movement has received limited scholarly attention compared to other mass movements of the period, resulting in a fragmented understanding of revolutionary mobilization.
The study contends that this scholarly neglect has obscured key historical realities: the radical and revolutionary character of the KMT prior to 1927, the Chinese Communist Party’s (CPC) nuanced approach toward merchant groups, and the existential challenges confronted by established Chambers of Commerce. Drawing on case studies from Guangdong, Hunan, Hubei, and Shanghai, the book traces the evolution of the Merchant Movement and explores the dynamics of conflict and cooperation between the new Merchant Associations and traditional Chambers of Commerce, as well as the tensions that arose with salesperson unions.
Finally, the book investigates how the KMT, upon consolidating power as the ruling party, reversed its earlier stance: it shifted from endorsing the Merchant Associations to disbanding them by 1930, effectively terminating the movement and reinstating the Chambers of Commerce. By filling a critical gap in the historiography, this work offers a revised perspective on mass mobilization, party-merchant relations, and institutional transformation during a pivotal era in modern Chinese history.