试论近代慈善事业兴起的社会历史背景

On Historical Background of the Rising of Modern Philanthropy in China

中国近代慈善事业的兴起有其复杂的自然因素和社会背景。近代以来,频发的自然灾害和惨烈的战祸兵燹造成大量缺衣乏食、无家可归的灾黎难民,迫切需要慈善事业进行急赈与其他形式的救济。近代经济环境的变动,都市工商业的繁荣又为慈善事业的善款提供了经济来源。中西慈善文化的冲突与融合则进一步催生了近代新型慈善组织的产生。

The rising of modern philanthropy in China has the complicated natural and social background. In modern times, frequent natural calamity and tragic ravages of war made a large number of victims and refugees with homeless or food dificient, thus they needed urgently egergency relief and other helps by the means of philanthopy. With the radical changes of modern economic circumstances, urban industry and commerce became booming, which is the main resourc of philanthropic contributions. Besides,the conflict and merging of Chinese and Western charity cultrue further promoted the found of modern charitable organizations.