Abstract:

The local autonomy of Shanghai was a highlight of local political practice in the late Qing Dynasty. This paper discusses some legal resources of Shanghai autonomy from four parts that include public appealing, official support, good appearance, and election model. The autonomic appealing from civil gentry met with an official response and combined with each other, thus becoming initial legitimate resources of autonomy. The autonomic practice and the election model brought the public into line with autonomy and got their powerful support, thus becoming subsequent valid resources of Shanghai autonomy. Just due to the in - depth legal support, Shanghai autonomy got a power to balance the official influence.

Key words: Shanghai, local autonomy, legitimacy