The Societal Ups and Downs in the Northern Huaihe River Area——A Case Study of the Agricultural Economy during Song and Jin Dynasties

Citing the agricultural economy of Northern Song and Jin dynasties as examples,this paper discusses the societal and economic ups and downs in the northern Huaihe area. In Song Dynasty,northern Huaihe River area became one of the economic centers of the whole country because of its advantageous status of being the districts of traditional agriculture and near the royal capitals. In Jin Dynasty,this region lost its social and economic advantages for war chaos and other reasons. It is held that the main reasons that contribute to the economic decline in northern Huaihe River Area after Jin Dynasty are the ecological deterioration,war chaos,transference of capitals,and the change of course of canals.