Cities in Motion: Urban Life and Cosmopolitanism in Southeast Asia, 1920–1940 (Asian Connections)

In the 1920s and 1930s, the port-cities of Southeast Asia were staging grounds for diverse groups of ordinary citizens to experiment with modernity, as a rising Japan and American capitalism challenged the predominance of European empires after the First World War. Both migrants and locals played a pivotal role in shaping civic culture. Moving away from a nationalist reading of the period, Su Lin Lewis explores layers of cross-cultural interaction in various spheres: the urban built environment, civic associations, print media, education, popular culture and the emergence of the modern woman. While the book focuses on Penang, Rangoon and Bangkok - three cities born amidst British expansion to the region - it explores connected experiences across Asia and in Asian intellectual enclaves in Europe. Cosmopolitan sensibilities were severely tested in the era of post-colonial nationalism, but are undergoing a resurgence in Southeast Asia's civil society and creative class today. In The 1920s And 1930s, The Port Cities Of Southeast Asia Were Staging Grounds For Diverse Groups Of Ordinary Citizens To Experiment With Modernity, As A Rising Japan And The Growth Of American Capitalism Challenged The Predominance Of European Empires After The First World War. Both Migrants And Locals Played A Pivotal Role In Shaping Civic Culture. Moving Away From A Nationalist Reading Of The Period, Su Lin Lewis Explores Layers Of Cross-cultural Interaction In Various Spheres: The Urban Built Environment, Civic Associations, Print Media, Education, And Popular Culture. While The Book Focuses On Penang, Rangoon, And Bangkok - Three Cities Born Amidst British Expansion In The Region - It Explores Connected Experiences Across Asia And In Asian Intellectual Enclaves In Europe. Cosmopolitan Sensibilities Were Severely Tested In The Era Of Post-colonial Nationalism, But Are Undergoing A Resurgence In Southeast Asia's Civil Society And Creative Class Today-- Asian Connections Is A Major Series Of Ambitious Works That Look Beyond The Traditional Templates Of Area, Regional Or National Studies To Consider The Trans-regional Phenomena Which Have Connected And Influenced Various Parts Of Asia Through Time. The Series Will Focus On Empirically Grounded Work Exploring Circulations, Connections, Convergences And Comparisons Within And Beyond Asia-- Machine Generated Contents Note: Introduction: Seeing Through The City; 1. Maritime Commerce, Old Rivalries, And The Birth Of Three Cities; 2. Asian Port Cities In A Turbulent Age; 3. Cosmopolitan Publics In Divided Societies; 4. Newsprint, Wires, And The Reading Public; 5. Playgrounds, Classrooms, And Politics; 6. Gramophones, Cinema Halls, And Bobbed Hair; Epilogue: Cosmopolitan Legacies; Bibliography; Index. Su Lin Lewis. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 273-299) And Index. Cover 1 Half-title page 3 Series page 4 Title page 5 Copyright page 6 Dedication 7 Contents 9 Figures 10 Maps 11 Acknowledgements 12 Introduction: Seeing through the City 15 1 Maritime Commerce, Old Rivalries, and the Birth of Three Cities 41 2 Asian Port-Cities in a Turbulent Age 61 3 Cosmopolitan Publics in Divided Societies 109 4 Newsprint, Wires, and the Reading Public 152 5 Playgrounds, Classrooms, and Politics 195 6 Gramophones, Cinema Halls, and Bobbed Hair 241 Epilogue: Cosmopolitan Legacies 278 Bibliography 287 Index 314 A Social History Of Cosmopolitanism In Southeast Asia's Ethnically Diverse Port Cities, Seen Within The Global Context Of The Interwar Era.