Shanghai on Strike: The Politics of Chinese Labor

Shanghai on Strike examines labor movements and working-class politics in Shanghai from 1919 to 1949. Perry analyzes strikes, unions, and labor activism during a period of rapid industrialization and social change in China's largest city. The book draws on police records, union documents, newspaper accounts, and oral histories to reconstruct major labor actions and their outcomes. It tracks the roles of various groups including factory workers, artisans, Communist organizers, and Nationalist government officials in shaping labor politics. Through detailed case studies of specific industries and strikes, Perry demonstrates how workers developed organizational strategies and political consciousness. The narrative follows the evolution of labor movements from early spontaneous actions to more coordinated campaigns. The work contributes to broader understanding of how class identity, urban politics, and revolutionary movements intersect in periods of social upheaval. It presents labor activism as a lens through which to view the transformation of Chinese society in the early twentieth century.

Readers view this book as a detailed examination of labor movements in Shanghai between 1919-1927. Positive reviews highlight: - Thorough research using Chinese archival sources - Clear analysis of relationships between workers, unions, and political groups - Insights into how factory type and location influenced labor organizing - Tables and data that support the arguments Critical points: - Dense academic writing style - Some sections get too granular with statistics - Limited coverage of workers' daily lives and perspectives - Focus is narrow (primarily 1919-1927 timeframe) Review Scores: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (10 ratings) Amazon: No reviews JSTOR: Multiple positive academic reviews One reader on Goodreads noted: "Excellent research but requires patience due to academic prose." Another commented: "The statistical analysis adds credibility but sometimes overshadows the human elements of the labor movement."

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🔹 Elizabeth Perry conducted extensive research in Shanghai's Municipal Archives, uncovering previously unused police records that revealed detailed accounts of worker movements and labor organizing in the early 20th century. 🔹 The book examines how Shanghai's unique position as both a Chinese city and international settlement created distinct patterns of labor activism not seen elsewhere in China during the 1920s and 1930s. 🔹 Shanghai's silk workers, predominantly young women, were among the most militant labor groups and staged some of the largest strikes despite facing intense social and economic pressures. 🔹 The author demonstrates how traditional Chinese secret societies and gang networks played a crucial role in organizing labor movements, challenging previous assumptions about working-class formation in China. 🔹 The research shows that Shanghai workers often organized strikes along native-place lines (based on workers' geographic origins), rather than strictly by class or industry, highlighting the importance of regional identity in Chinese labor movements.