China Made: Consumer Culture and the Creation of the Nation

China Made examines the emergence of Chinese consumer culture and national identity during the critical Nanjing Decade (1927-1937). The book focuses on the National Products Movement, which promoted domestic goods while resisting foreign imports. Through extensive research and historical documentation, Karl Gerth reveals how consumer choices became linked to Chinese citizenship and patriotism during this period. The analysis covers advertising, exhibitions, boycotts, and the complex relationship between Chinese manufacturers and their customers. The narrative tracks specific product categories including cigarettes, textiles, and household goods to demonstrate how commerce intersected with politics. Government policies, business strategies, and grassroots activism all played roles in defining what constituted "Chinese" versus "foreign" products. This work contributes to broader discussions about nationalism, modernity, and the role of consumption in shaping cultural identity. The book suggests that consumer behavior and national consciousness became inextricably linked in ways that continue to influence Chinese society.

Readers emphasize Gerth's detailed examination of Chinese consumer nationalism in the 1920s-30s through original sources and advertising materials. Students and academics note the book's accessibility and clear organization. Liked: - Research depth using visual sources like advertisements and posters - Documentation of how nationalism affected daily consumer choices - Explanations of complex economic concepts in understandable terms Disliked: - Dense academic writing style - Limited coverage of pre-1920s context - Focus mainly on urban areas, less on rural consumption Review Scores: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (12 ratings) Amazon: 5/5 (2 ratings) From reader reviews: "Strong archival research but could be more concise" - Academic reviewer on H-Net "Helpful for understanding modern Chinese consumer behavior" - Goodreads user "Price point high for a specialized academic text" - Amazon reviewer

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🔸 The book reveals how Chinese consumers in the early 1900s were encouraged to view their purchasing choices as patriotic acts, with "national products" movements promoting domestic goods over foreign imports. 🔸 Karl Gerth is a professor at UC San Diego who specializes in modern Chinese history and has spent over a decade researching consumer culture in China, including extensive work in Chinese archives. 🔸 The "National Products Movement" discussed in the book led to the creation of China's first department stores, which were specifically designed to showcase domestically produced goods. 🔸 The book demonstrates how modern Chinese nationalism was shaped not just by political movements, but through everyday consumer choices like what soap to buy or what clothes to wear. 🔸 During the period covered by the book (1900-1937), Chinese merchants would often falsely label foreign goods as "national products" to capitalize on growing consumer patriotism, leading to widespread concerns about product authenticity.