The First Republic in China Why did the Republic fail? Assess the consequences of the Chinese revolution of 1911.

China

The situation in 1911 Country in disarray Many critics of the new regime are still around 7 Foreign governments have interests in China China in danger of breaking up Challenges of twentieth century technology Government is under pressure

Who was Yuan Shikai?

st January – Sun Yat Sen becomes President 12 th February – Pu Yi and Prince Chun abdicate 13 th February – Yuan Shikai becomes President 11 th March – A new constitution is drawn up - elections to be held at the end of The Revolutionary Alliance becomes the Guomindang (GMD) Over 300 parties fight the first election

1913 January 1913 – Election result announced -GMD win 269/596 seats -Song Jiaoren shot on the way to the National Assembly Early 1913 – GMD fall out with Yuan Shikai over Reorganisation Loan May – Yuan dismisses all pro-GMD military governors Summer – GMD troops defeated October – Yuan is declared President. GMD are dissolved and dismissed from government Sun flees China End 1913 – USA, GB, Russia, Japan recognise Yuan’s government

1914 Jan 1914 – National Assembly dissolved Feb 1914 – Provincial assemblies also closed down May 1914 – Yuan strengthens his power as President. Increases censorship. -Now has control over war, finance, foreign policy and citizens’ rights. -Announces plans for wide-ranging reforms August 1914 – World War One declared - Japan declare war on Germany and seize Shandong

1915 January – Japan make the 21 Demands 7 th May - Day of National Humiliation August – Rumours abound that the people want Yuan as their emperor November – A petition begs Yuan to consider it - Yuan bows to “public pressure” Yunnan, Guzhou, Guangxi declare their independence in protest

1916 January – Yuan is crowned Emperor Leads to protests, loss of support March – Backs down June 6 th – Yuan dies Replaced by Li Yuanhong. Li is deposed by Zhang Xun who tries to restore Pu Yi This fails 1917 The Warlord Era has begun