7.3 Sun Yat-sen and the early Republican period

Sun Yat-sen's political philosophy centered on three principles: nationalism, democracy, and people's livelihood. These ideas aimed to transform China into a modern, democratic nation free from foreign influence and focused on improving citizens' economic well-being.

Sun's revolutionary activities, including founding the Revolutionary Alliance and supporting uprisings, led to the collapse of the Qing Dynasty. However, early republican China faced challenges like power struggles, warlordism, and limited international support, hindering the realization of Sun's vision for a unified, democratic state.

Sun Yat-sen's Political Philosophy and Vision

Three principles of Sun Yat-sen

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• Nationalism (Minzu) aimed to foster unity among Han Chinese and other ethnic groups within China while working to end foreign imperialism and interference in Chinese affairs
• Democracy (Minquan) focused on establishing a democratic system of government that ensured people's rights and encouraged active participation in the political process
• People's Livelihood (Minsheng) sought to improve the economic well-being of the Chinese people through land reform, redistribution of wealth, and industrialization efforts
• Sun Yat-sen's vision for China was that of a modern, democratic, and prosperous nation free from foreign influence
• Influenced by Western political thought (republicanism, socialism) and the Chinese philosophical concept of Datong (Great Unity), which emphasizes social harmony and equality

Sun Yat-sen's revolutionary activities

• Founded the Revolutionary Alliance (Tongmenghui) in 1905 by merging various revolutionary groups with the common goal of overthrowing the Qing Dynasty and establishing a republican form of government
• Organized and supported multiple armed uprisings against the Qing Dynasty, including the Huanggang Uprising (1907) and the Guangzhou Uprising (1910), which ultimately failed but helped build momentum for the revolutionary cause
• The Wuchang Uprising in 1911, although not directly led by Sun Yat-sen, was a turning point that led to the collapse of the Qing Dynasty and the establishment of the Republic of China
• Sun Yat-sen was elected as the provisional president of the Republic of China in 1912, marking a significant step towards realizing his vision for a democratic China

Challenges in early republican China

• Power struggle with Yuan Shikai, a powerful military leader who commanded loyalty from the Beiyang Army, forced Sun Yat-sen to resign as provisional president in favor of Yuan to maintain national unity and prevent civil war
• The lack of a strong central government and effective military control made it difficult to exert authority over the vast Chinese territory and population
• Regional warlords, each with their own armies and political agendas, vied for power and control, leading to political fragmentation and instability throughout the country
• Limited support from Western powers, who prioritized stability and their own economic interests over supporting revolutionary change in China, made it challenging for Sun Yat-sen to secure international recognition and assistance

Yuan Shikai's impact on China

• Yuan Shikai became the president of the Republic of China in 1912 and quickly moved to centralize power and suppress opposition, including dissolving the Kuomintang (Nationalist Party) and assassinating political rivals (Song Jiaoren)
• In 1915, Yuan attempted to restore the monarchy with himself as the emperor, a move that was met with widespread opposition and ultimately failed, damaging his legitimacy and leading to his downfall
• Yuan's death in 1916 created a power vacuum that led to the Warlord Era (1916-1928), during which regional warlords controlled different parts of China, and the central government in Beijing had limited authority
• Political instability, economic challenges, and the lack of a unified vision for China's future hindered the country's development and modernization efforts during this period
• In response to the political chaos, Sun Yat-sen established a rival government in Guangzhou in 1917 to counter the Beijing government and continue pursuing his vision for a united, democratic China