Patriotic Fun: Toys and Mobilization in China from the Republican to the Communist Era

Main author: Boretti, Valentina
Format: Book Chapters           
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id eprints-30482
recordtype eprints
institution SOAS, University of London
collection SOAS Research Online
language English
language_search English
topic D204 Modern History
DS Asia
GV Recreation Leisure
description This chapter explores the use of leisure to mobilize children in China from the 1910s to the early 1950s, in times of both war and peace. Drawing on normative advice, and commenting on youngsters’ reactions, it describes how ostensibly different regimes similarly deployed toys and play in order to foster children’s engagement in struggles of a political, commercial or military nature. It outlines how a variety of items - from so-called “educational” war toys to figurines and lanterns - could serve to rally children for the nation and familiarize war. The chapter argues that, although mobilization was construed as defensive, patriotic activism and acquaintance with the metaphorical or real battlefield were significant components of Chinese children’s upbringing from the beginning of the twentieth century.
author_additional Honeck, Mischa
author_additionalStr Honeck, Mischa
format Book Chapters
author Boretti, Valentina
author_facet Boretti, Valentina
authorStr Boretti, Valentina
author_letter Boretti, Valentina
title Patriotic Fun: Toys and Mobilization in China from the Republican to the Communist Era
publisher Cambridge University Press
publishDate 2019
url https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/30482/