1911 Revolution

The 1911 RevolutionCauses

Underlying Causes1. The internal decay of the Qing government-inefficient administration-serious corruption-low morale-poor leadership

2. The role of CixiWhat are her responsibilities?-did not support the reform, conservative-ignorant and blindly anti-foreign Boxer Uprising-mismanagement and corruption-liked accepting gifts-

3. Foreign political and economic invasion-unequal treaties->undermined sovereignty-foreign control of the economy-setting up of sphere of influence-intervention of railway construction->weakened economy and aroused local hatred

3. Natural disasters-food production did not increase owing to the limitedsupply of land-primitive methods of farming + lack of fertilizers-1877-79, 15 millions died because of drought-1887-8 1 million perished

4. Sun’s revolutionary activities

5. Humiliating defeats and treaties•Ceding territories•Granting privileges•Losing tributory states•Meeting huge indemnity payments

6. Impacts of foreign political ideas•Positive western ideas of nationalism ,democracy & idea of republicanism-- they turned to support Sun

7. Years long antagonism between Manzhu andChinese•Manzhu had enjoyed privileges•Held important posts•Treated Chinese as a conquered race•Manzhu seldom trusted the Chinese officials

8. Internal Rebellion•Taiping Rebellion•Nien & Moslem Rebellion- spent money for suppressing rebellion,Lost revenue from those affected by the rebellionAnd regionalism

9. Poor leadership•Emphasis on eight legged essays and civilService examination-> produced officialsOf little experience and ability in solving problem•Corruption no efficiency and justice•Government became obsolete•Cixi was conservative, corrupt and anti-foreign

10.failure of reforms –collapse of Qing•Self-strengthening Movement•100 Days Reform•Late Qing Reform

11. Awakening nationalismWhy was nationalism awakened?•The repeated defeats in the wars•the failure of the reforms--> many joined the revolutionary movements

How important was Sun in Chinese Revolution 1911 and political development?

What effort did Sun make in modernizing China?

1.Outline Three Peoples’ Principles and three stages to republicanism

Sun’s Three People’s Principles:

Democratic ideas of government of the people, by the people and for the people

Minzuzhuyi--nationalism--to overthrow the Manzhu and end foreignMinquanzhuyi-democracy--to set up democratic governmentMinshenzhuyi-socialism--to share in land or capital in order to makea living

Sun’s Three Steps to Republicanism:

Stage 1--government by military law for three yearsStage 2--government by a provisionalconstitution for six yearsStage 3--the period of democracy—having constitution, parliamentand president

2.Setting up revolutionary societies, Xingzhonghui,Tongmenghui

3. Enlist the support (financial )both in China or in foreign countries

4. Organizing anti-Manzhu uprisings, e.g. Guangzhou Uprising1895, Huizhou Uprising 1900

5. His efforts after 1911-Set up the Republic of China- Step down for Yuan Shikai 1912- Brought changes to party direction in second Revolution

Immediate Cause

The Railway Problem

The Wuchang Uprising

The Railway Problem

•railway project was extensively carried out by provincialAuthority, and dominated by the foreigners, with funds locally raised•1911, the Central government asked for nationalizing therailways

Why was the railway nationalized?•Facilitate central administration•improve finance•speed up reforms

•Caused opposition to nationalization was strong in Sichuan province•Societies for the Protection of Railway Rights was set up •popular discontent developed into riots•government resorted to suppression and killed people in Chengdu Massacre•Government transferred New Army from Hubei to Sichuan•Revolutionaries planned the uprising in October 1911.

Wuchang Uprising

•Explosion at Hankou on 9 Oct.->release of namelist of revolutionaries of New Army•Revolutionaries started uprising on 10 October•on hearing the army mutiny, the Manzhu governor-general fled.

Unplanned, disorganized --nationwide revolution.

•In absence of leader, the soldiers forced Li Yuanhong to assume the commander of the revolutionary army•they took Wucheng, Hankou and Hanyang with little •bloodshed.

•A military government was set up at Wuchang in the name of Republic of China•Other provinces declared independent of the Manzhu government and gave Wuchang governmentimmediate support. •Sun returned and became the president of theRepublic of China Jan. 1912.

•Qing recalled Yuan from his retirement after the uprising •Yuan promised to suppress upon conditions•giving him full military power•appointing him the premier•calling the National parliament•pardoning the political prisoners, revolutionaries,(to pacify them)

•After some fightings, he negotiated with the revolutionaries•Yuan persuaded Xuantong to abdicate•Sun agreed to step down--> Why?

•His army was no match with Yuan’s army•a government headed by sourtherner would not be accepted by north•foreign powers would support Yuan + prevent civil war

-Emperor Xuntong promised to abdicate on 12 JanSun also stepped down the next day and set 3 conditions

1. Nanjing remained the seat of government2. Yuan was to assume the presidency at Nanjing3. Yuan was to rule accordance with the constitution

Yuan Shikai was elected the provisional president and Li Yuenhong as the vice-president.

Significance of the 1911 RevolutionAchievement (bright side)

1. The end of dynastic system-driving out the Manzhus,-Restoring Chinese rule and establishing The republic—turning point in modern China

2. The abolition of ruling by one race

3. The change in life and culture

4. Rise of nationalism in Souteast Asia-beginning of decolonization

5. Promotion of racial harmony

6. Bridging the gap between China and theWest

Limitation (dark side)1. The power struggle between Yuan andRevolutionaries 1912-6• Did not bring real democracy to China• Did not pay effort on national reconstruction• Handed power to Yuan—MonarchicalMovement• Sun did not set up a true democraticGovernment“government of the people, by the people, for the people”

2. Little attention to improving the Livelihood of the people•No socio-economic reform

3. The Warlord Period 1916-28/ Unable to buildChina with democracyA lack of strong basis of national unity•Conflicts between the northern and southernProvinces•Did not reduce the power of the provincial Authorities—act independently

•Power struggle between the old and new Political parties in the parliament—monarchicalMovement•After Yuan’s death, warlord period started 1916-28

4. The foreign threat /Unable to defend against Foreign threat• Unable to resist the foreign aggression•21 demands further added to the unequalTreaties•Britain and France did not give up unequal treaties

5. The May Fourth Movement 1919-beginning of Chinese nationalism

How significant was the 1911 Revolution on Chinese modernization?

Achievement (bright/ positive side)

Immediate:1. The end of dynastic system-driving out the Manzhus,-Restoring Chinese rule and establishing The republic—turning point in modern China

2. Setting up a republic and constitutional Government

3. The abolition of ruling by one race

4. The change in life and culture

Long term:

5. Rise of nationalism in Souteast Asia-beginning of decolonization-Chinese were awakened

6. Promotion of racial harmony

7. Bridging the gap between China and theWest

Limitation (dark/ negative side)1. The power struggle between Yuan andRevolutionaries 1912-6• Did not bring real democracy to China• Did not pay effort on national reconstruction• Handed power to Yuan—MonarchicalMovement• Sun did not set up a true democraticGovernment“government of the people, by the people, for the people”

2. Little attention to improving the Livelihood of the people•No socio-economic reform

3. The Warlord Period 1916-28/ Unable to buildChina with democracyA lack of strong basis of national unity•Conflicts between the northern and southernProvinces•Did not reduce the power of the provincial Authorities—act independently

B. Implementation1. Politically: the Republic of China2. Diplomatically: continued his fight againstForeign imperialism3. Legally: constitution that people shouldEnjoy freedom of ….+ Sun protected the Constitution4. Economically: railway construction (200000Miles within 10 years)5. Culturally: Christian calendar+ westernCulture6. Socially: Mister or Gentlemen

How successful were Sun’s ideas in modernizingChina by 1920?

How successful was 1911 Revolution in Achieving the ideas of Sun?

•Power struggle between the old and new Political parties in the parliament—monarchicalMovement•After Yuan’s death, warlord period started 1916-28

4. The foreign threat /Unable to defend against Foreign threat• Unable to resist the foreign aggression-Sun& revolutionary government had promised to rRespect the treaty rights of the powers•21 demands further added to the unequalTreaties•Britain and France did not give up unequal treaties

5. The May Fourth Movement 1919-beginning of Chinese nationalism

The 1911 Revolution opened a new page, butCould not help the lives of the Chinese people.China was even more politically and Socially unstable.

Sun’s ideas of modernizationAnd their implementationduring the earlyRepublic years (1911-12)

A. The Three Principles• Three People’s Principles• Nationalism: China had to free herself From foreign interference• Democracy: all people were born with basicNatural rights and should have a say • Socialism: economic reforms should beCarried out to improve people’slivelihood