'Seize turtles deep down in the Five Seas' : history of marine science in Qingdao in Mao Era China (1949-1972)
This dissertation uses the development of modern marine science to explore the complex relationship between science and socio-politics in socialist China. Using the case of Qingdao, the centre for marine science from the late Qing period to the present, this thesis argues that marine scientists always faced a dilemma between surviving political campaigns and developing marine science. Scientists struggled to survive attacks and persecution during Mao's era, while also trying to continue their research in marine science by any means possible. At that time, marine science was a double-edged sword: it gained them privileges and appreciation, but they were also persecuted and attacked because of their profession. This thesis follows a chronological structure. Chapters I and II explore the history of marine science from the Republican period through to the Socialist period. Chapter III examines how marine science was transformed into a socialist science. Chapter IV analyses marine science from 1956 to 1962 by expounding how marine scientists gained wider appreciation during the 'Great Leap Forward' and the 'Great Famine'. Using the example of Vietnamese students studying in Qingdao, Chapter V focuses on the higher
Chen, Cai
'Seize turtles deep down in the Five Seas' : history of marine science in Qingdao in Mao Era China (1949-1972). This dissertation uses the development of modern marine science to explore the complex relationship between science and socio-politics in socialist China. Using the case of Qingdao, the centre for marine science from the late Qing period to the present, this thesis argues that marine scientists always faced a dilemma between surviving political campaigns and developing marine science. Scientists struggled to survive attacks and persecution during Mao's era, while also trying to continue their research in marine science by any means possible. At that time, marine science was a double-edged sword: it gained them privileges and appreciation, but they were also persecuted and attacked because of their profession. This thesis follows a chronological structure. Chapters I and II explore the history of marine science from the Republican period through to the Socialist period. Chapter III examines how marine science was transformed into a socialist science. Chapter IV analyses marine science from 1956 to 1962 by expounding how marine scientists gained wider appreciation during the 'Great Leap Forward' and the 'Great Famine'. Using the example of Vietnamese students studying in Qingdao, Chapter V focuses on the higher
seize turtle deep history marine science mao era china development modern marine science explore complex_relationship science socio politics socialist china using case centre marine science present argue marine scientist always face dilemma survive political campaign develop marine science struggle survive attack persecution mao era also_try continue marine science mean possible time marine science double edged_sword gain privilege appreciation also persecute profession follow chronological structure explore history marine science republican_period socialist period iii examines marine science transform socialist science analyse marine science expound marine scientist gain wide appreciation great forward famine using_example vietnamese student study focus high