李鸿章与晚清河政

LI Hongzhang and the Yellow River Administration in Late Qing Dynasty

黄河铜瓦厢改道后,河政体制逐渐趋于解体,晚清河政的命运为急剧动荡的政治格局所左右。作为晚清重臣,李鸿章多次参与黄河治理的讨论与决策,在黄河复故问题上有着绝对的影响。重洋务、轻河务的态度是他适应时局的一种选择,西方近代水利技术的引入为日后的黄河治理带来了转机。

The Yellow River overtopped dikes at Tongwaxiang in Henan province in 1855,and its course changed. Since then,the Yellow River administration system was in slowly declining. Unfortunately,political instability affected the Yellow River administration. As one of the most important official in Late Qing Dynasty,LI Hongzhang took part in the discussion about Yellow River management,and made decisions. Because of his objection for returning the entire flow to the bed of the old Yellow River,Qing government finally accepted his suggestion. We have to say,he actively promoted the westernization,despised the water management,was an adaptation of the historical choice. It can be said he introduced the modern hydraulic science and technology to bring a turning point for the Yellow River governance.