本文對五四運動的研究，把考察焦點放在上海的江蘇省教育會。1919年前中國南北分裂期間，江蘇省教育會以南方作為根據地，在長期積極經營下，往北京拓展其勢力。五四運動爆發後，江蘇省教育會支持的北大校長蔡元培及教育總長傅增湘先後去職，為該會擴展過程中的重大頓挫。然而，江蘇省教育會利用電報往還，策動南北輿論，巧妙地與學潮呼應，與安福系睹中角力，既隱含南北力量的交鋒，也掀動五四運動的波瀾起伏。本文提出的主要論點是，欲瞭解一部五四運動史，若不深悉江蘇省教育會的布局、謀略及運作方式，都不免簡化或扭曲這段歷史的進程，難以獲得五四運動史的全貌。

This thesis looks at the role of the Shanghai Kiangsu Provincial Educational Association (江蘇省教育會) during the early period of the May Fourth Movement (五四運動). Shortly after the 1911 Revolution and before 1919, China was separated into the north and south regions. During the time, the Kiangsu Provincial Educational Association increased more and more its influence in Peking. Supported by the Association, Ts'ai Yuan-p'ei (蔡元培), President of Peking University, and Fu Tseng-siang (傅增湘), Minister for Education Department, both resigned after the May Fourth Event. Their departure frustrated seriously the development of influence in the North China by the Kiangsu Provincial Educational Association. The leaders of the Association made instead the use of telegrams and mass media, and tried their best to instigate public opinion in support of the students' movement in order to overcome the increasing power of the Ann-fu Clique (安福系). The Chinese political authorities in the north and south competed with each other during that time, driving the direction and development of the May Fourth Movement. In conclusion, the main point of this thesi s is to emphasize the point that the scholars have to investigate into the role of the Kiangsu Provincial Educational Association. Otherwise, we can never tell the whole story of the May Fourth Movement.