The First Republic in China
1912-1916
People
Yuan Shikai (1859-1916)
General in the Qing Northern (Beiyang) Army
Had twice failed his Juren (Civil Service) examination. Bought a commission in the Army instead.
Very powerful member of the Qing court. Helped to crush the Boxer Rebellion in Shandong.
Probably involved with Ci Xi in overthrowing Emperor Guangxu
Powerbase was the Beiyang Army in the Northern provinces – fiercely loyal to Yuan.
In 1911 seen as the only man capable of keeping China together
At his death he was “reviled by virtually all his countrymen for his corruption, deceit, double dealing
and megalomania” (Mackerras)
Sun Yat Sen
See previous notes
The First President of ROC (Republic of China) but stands aside for Yuan Shikai due to the reality of
Yuan’s military superiority.
Led GMD – very strong in the Southern Provinces – eg around Nanjing (the choice by the GMD for
the capital of China)
Song Jiaoren 1882-1912
Sun’s choice as leader of the parliamentary GMD
Leads the GMD’s very successful election campaign in Dec 1912
A talented but difficult politician who rubbed many others up the wrong way. Chosen by Sun to be
the first PM of China
Murdered at Shanghai Railway station in March 1913. (By Yuan Shikai?)
Key Events
12 Feb 1912 – PuYi abdicates and appoints Yuan Shikai to form a republican government
Aim is to set up a US style government.
14 Feb 1912 – Yuan Shikai becomes President
Yuan Shikai issues a statement pledging;
1. Absolute support and loyalty to the Republic
2. To stop the monarchy from ever returning
He appoints his own men for top jobs in his government
Also moves capital back from Nanjing to Beijing – his area of power – very significant struggle with
GMD who wanted the capital to be in the South because:
1. Their area of strength
2. Away from Yuan’s powerbase in Northern Beijing
December 1912 – Elections for National Assembly
GMD win 43% vote. Only 10% China could vote (Male taxpaying property owners). Women, opium
smokers, illiterates and those without an elementary school certificate were barred from the vote
Early 1913 – Yuan borrows a £25 million loan from the 6 foreign powers (Reorganisation Loan).
A very restrictive loan with strict terms using China’s internal revenue as security
Desperately needs money to finance central government as provincial land taxes were being kept by
Provincial Military Governors. China running at a loss of 13 million yuan per month
By now foreign governments have invested $1.6 billion
Sun Yat Sen urges parliament to reject the loan but Yuan Shikai surrounds the parliament with
troops. The vote is carried in favour of the loan.
May 1913 Yuan takes revenge on the GMD for criticising loan by firing pro-GMD military leaders
Summer 1913 – Nationalists (GMD) launch a second revolution but crushed easily by Yuan Shikai
October 1913 – Dissolves GMD as seditious. Evicts GMD representatives from Assembly. Sun Yat Sen
flees to Japan. Sacks pro-GMD military commanders
Jan 1914 – National Assembly dissolved because not enough representatives now meeting there
after eviction of GMD.
Feb 1914 – Provincial assemblies also closed down (Had been set up by Manchus)
May 1914 – Strengthens his power as President. He now has control over war, finance, foreign policy
and citizens’ rights.
Announces plans for wide-ranging reforms of legal system, prisons, education (although primary
subject still Confucius), railways, farming, the economy and abuse of opium.
Jan 1915 – Japan issues the 21 Demands
Demanding more economic rights in Manchuria and Inner Mongolia, a say in the running of 2
massive coal and iron ore works, allowing the Japanese to put advisers into the Chinese government.
China would have become a protectorate of Japan.
(Cause- Aug 1914 – Japan had declared war on Germany and then seized the German concession of
Shandong. )
Then Japan issued their 21 demands. Accepted by Yuan Shikai (all except those demands which
would have given Japan a say in the Chinese Government) on 7th May – Day of National Humiliation
Met with wave of anti-Japanese riots etc. Opposition to this brought together anti-republic groups
such as students, traders, lawyers and teachers
Late 1915 – Yuan claims that the public wished him to be emperor.
1st Jan 1916 – Yuan becomes emperor of China.
Wave of protests, a number of provinces declare their independence from China. Some Generals left
the army
He fails to get any support from abroad
March 1916 – Yuan steps down as emperor
June 1916 – Dies of Uremia (Kidney failure resulting from food poisoning)
Li Yuanhong takes over as President but (Jun 1917) is displaced by Warlord General Zhang Xun in a
coup who returns Pu Yi to the dragon throne.
July 1917 – Xun and Pu Yi deposed by group of Generals.
This is the beginning of the Warlord era.
Key Issues
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Did the Republic fail due to Yuan Shikai?
Was the Republic doomed to failure?
How important were the 21 Demands and the foreign “Re-organisation” Loan in the failure
of the Republic?
The revolution was a military and provincial revolution. Was China strong enough to stay
together without a very strong man at the helm.
Were the GMD too naive?
Did any of the parties have any real answers to the problems facing China at the time?