An overview of Shanghai’s history : the immigration of Australians and Jewish refugees to the city in the 20th century

Abstract

This thesis contains a general overview of Shanghai’s history from the 1840s until the Cultural Revolution and its effects. The main focus falls on the foreign occupation and immigration between the late 19th and 20th century. The role which the foreigners played in Shanghai’s development and its transformation into a capitalistic city is also demonstrated in the first chapter, which leads to an even broader explanation of two specific groups of immigrants, the Australia-born Chinese and the Jewish people. The time frame of their immigration is mostly reflected throughout the 20th century. In addition, the thesis will also demonstrate some case studies to further present what triggered the immigration process and further adaptations they needed to make in order to fit in the culture of the East. One of the main historical events that led to a massive change in the immigration procedures was during the Maoist era. The Cultural Revolution which broke out during Mao Zedong’s rule is important to mention in the aspect of foreign immigrants as it had influenced their lives in the East greatly.