建國後率先在中國科學院成立近代史研究所，凸顯出中國近代史的學科地位。早期近代史研究所學人致力於近代史資料收集整理工作，踐行在專題研究的基礎上綜合貫通以撰寫「中國近代通史」的研究取徑，力圖夯實學科發展的基礎，增進科學性，在「只爭朝夕」的社會政治氛圍下體現了遵循學術發展規律的從容心態。在學術研究的組織中，兼收並蓄，整合新舊力量，發揮傳統學者史料考訂編纂之長；注重集體協作而忽視個人專題撰述。其學術成果與外界期望有相當距離，其間的得失之處值得檢討與省思。

The Institute of Modern History was the first national research institute
of history after 1949. In the 1950s, these scholars of the institute persisted to the principle that the general history should be based on the monographic study. They were devoted to collecting and compiling historical materials of modern China, laid a foundation of the subject of Modern History of China.Meanwhile, they integrated different kinds of scholars and made the best use of advantages, laid stress on cooperation and neglected personal researches.The research accomplishment was fall far short of people’s expectations. It’s success and failure provided much for thought.