Building a Nation at War: Transnational Knowledge Networks and the Development of China during and after World War II

J. Megan Greene

ISBN 10: 0674278313 / ISBN 13: 9780674278318

Published by Harvard University, Asia Center, 2022

About this Item

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Seller Inventory # B9780674278318

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Building a Nation at War: Transnational Knowledge Networks and the Development of China during and after World War II
• Publisher: Harvard University, Asia Center
• Publication Date: 2022
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0674278313
• ISBN 13: 9780674278318
• Binding: Hardback
• Condition: New
• Weight: 526 grams

About this title

Synopsis

Building a Nation at War argues that the Chinese Nationalist government’s retreat inland during the Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945), its consequent need for inland resources, and its participation in new scientific and technical relationships with the United States led to fundamental changes in how the Nationalists engaged with science and technology as tools to promote development.

The war catalyzed an emphasis on applied sciences, comprehensive economic planning, and development of scientific and technical human resources―all of which served the Nationalists’ immediate and long-term goals. It created an opportunity for the Nationalists to extend control over inland China and over education and industry. It also provided opportunities for China to mobilize transnational networks of Chinese-Americans, Chinese in America, and the American government and businesses. These groups provided technical advice, ran training programs, and helped the Nationalists acquire manufactured goods and tools. J. Megan Greene shows how the Nationalists worked these programs to their advantage, even in situations where their American counterparts clearly had the upper hand. Finally, this book shows how, although American advisers and diplomats criticized China for harboring resources rather than putting them into winning the war against Japan, US industrial consultants were also strongly motivated by postwar goals.

About the Author

J. Megan Greene is Associate Professor of History at the University of Kansas.