一战华工的归国境遇及其影响——基于对山东华工后裔(或知情者)口述资料的分析

The Experiences of Chinese Laborers Returned from the First World War Battlefield and Their Impact on the Chinese Society:A Case Study Based on the Interviews with the Descendents of Chinese Laborers in Shandong

山东淄博周村是当年英法招募华工的重要站点。论文根据对"周村华工"后裔或知情者采访整理出来的65份口述资料,从华工归国所带物品、节余工薪的使用状况、归国后从事的行业、思想观念与自身素质的转变等方面进行了考察研究。比照当时知识界和政界对于归国华工影响力的乐观预期,得出结论:华工归国后的总体境遇不够理想,归国华工对中国社会所能发挥的积极影响极为有限,甚至其中不乏悲剧性的一面。

Zhoucun is a district in Zibo city of Shandong Province. It was one of the major places for the British and French to recruit Chinese laborers during the First World War. Based on the 65 interviews conducted with the descendents of Chinese laborers and people who are familiar with the history in Zhoucun,the author examines the history of Chinese laborers after they returned from the European battlefield,such as the articles they brought back with them from Europe,the expenditure of their savings,their occupations at home,as well as the change of their ideological concept and the enhancement of quality. Contrary to the optimistic expectations advocated by the intellectuals and politicians on the positive impact of these returned Chinese laborers at that time,the author points out that on the whole the experience of these returned Chinese laborers in their homeland was not so ideal,and the positive impacts they made upon the local society was quite limited. Some of them even led a deplorable life in the home villages.