1. Yuan Shikai and the
Early Republic
IB Higher Level History
Core Readings for this lesson
Lipman pgs 257-260
Schoppa pgs 209-2011

2. Learning Objective
What role did Yuan Shikai play in the failure of
the Chinese republic?
Learning Objective: To explain the causes and
consequences of the failure of the Early
Republic

4. First Steps 1911-12
• The revolutionaries had elected Sun Yat-Sen as the
first Provisional President of the Republic of China,
• Militarily weak, he soon resigns in favour of Yuan
Shikai

5. Yuan Secures Control
• Moves capital of the new republic to Beijing (near
his base of power)
• He put his own followers and supporters in
important government posts
• Some T'ung-meng hui members were forced to
resign by Yuan.

6. Reaction
• The T'ung-meng hui absorb four other lesser
parties to form the Kuomintang (Nationalist Party)
in an attempt to counter Yuan Shikai
• Led by Sung Chiao-jen
• He is assassinated at Shanghai Train Station (and his
killers die not long after)
• Was Yuan Shikai behind it?

7. Sung Chiao-jen

8. The Second Revolution, 1913
• Yuan negotiated a "reorganization loan" from the Five
Power Banking Consortium without parliament's
approval.
• Yuan dismissed some Kuomintang governors in the
south.
• The Kuomintang started 'Second Revolution' against
Yuan's dictatorship
• The revolutionaries were easily defeated by Yuan's
armies
• The Kuomintang was itself banned as a political party

9. Reasons for the failure of
the 2 Revolution
nd
a. The revolutionaries led by the Kuomintang were divided among
themselves. The revolution was badly planned. Money was lacking.
b. Yuan's armies were superior, both in numbers and in arms.
c. British help was given to Yuan in the form of loans and weapons.
d. The Chinese people, especially the peasants, knew little about city
politics, did not understand why the revolutionaries fought with
Yuan, were tired of further political disorder, and gave no support
to the Kuomintang.
e. The local-provincial gentry wished to protect their own interests and
were not sympathetic toward the revolutionaries.

10. Question 1
If you had to outline the major reasons for the failure
of the early republic in order what would you
choose?
A. Underlying problems in China; Yuan Shikai;
Mistakes by others
B. Yuan Shikai; Mistakes by others; Underlying
problems in China
C. Mistakes by others; Yuan Shikai; Underlying
problems in China

11. Dictatorship?
• In 1914, Yuan Shih-k'ai ordered the creation of a
Constitutional Compact
• The President's term of office was extended to 10
years
• Renewable by reelection.
• Yuan had the power to decide who was to succeed
him.
• Attempts to restore the monarchy but China has
changed forever

12. As Emperor (briefly)

13. Reasons for failure of Republic
i. Harmful effects of Yuan Shih-k'ai's dictatorial policies - Yuan Shih-k'ai had no intention of
working under and serving a republic. He ruled like a dictator, ignoring the constitution and using methods
like bribery and murder. Even the Kuomintang men accepted bribes from Yuan. In effect, therefore, the
Republic became a ground for selfish struggle for power among the opportunists. The ideals of
republicanism were forgotten.
ii. China's lack of democratic tradition - China had no solid democratic tradition. There was, for
example, a traditional dislike for political parties. Party activities were thought to be selfish and harmful to
political harmony. Even the Western-educated revolutionaries hated the idea of open struggle for
constitutional power. Sun Yat-sen, for example, failed to support Sung Chiao-jen for fear of being accused
of being power-hungry. China had been traditionally used to the rule of men, not the rule of law.
iii. Selfishness of local-provincial gentry and militarists - Political decentralization and the rise in
power of the military leaders made really democratic government difficult to carry out. Local-provincial
gentry and militarists were interested in keeping their own power in the provinces rather than in working
for the creation of an efficient parliament in Peking.
iv. Political inexperience and disunity of progressive forces - Liberals and intellectuals were divided
and inexperienced in politics and lost every opportunity to check Yuan's dictatorship.
v. The parties' lack of popular support - Political parties like the Kuomintang were led by intellectuals
who enjoyed little popular support. Consequently, party power was weak. Social conservatism was strong.
Democracy had difficulty in taking root in China.
vi. Nationalism over democracy - To many Chinese nationalists, the most important national aim for
China was the reunification and centralization of the whole country, not the establishment of a republic.

14. Question 2
• Choose which of those reasons for failure
is most important.
• Rank all the reasons for failure in order of
importance
• Be prepared to defend your choice
• Combining reasons is a very good idea

15. Effects of the Failure
i. The failure of republicanism led to the warlords dominating China
after 1916.
ii. The urgent need for social and economic reforms in China was
neglected, as the Republic was weak, corrupt and divided. As a
result,
iii. Foreign control of China increased.
iv.China's weakness invited Japanese aggression, like the presentation
of the 21 Demands to Yuan Shih-k'ai in 1915.
v.. Some Chinese intellectuals and liberals began to lose faith in
republicanism as an effective way of saving China. They were
prepared to turn to radical ideas like Communism.

16. Question 3
Look again at the effects of failure.
Which ones are most historically significant
and why?

17. Historiography
• If you remember, Fenby argued that the
revolution wasn’t really a ‘sea change’. On
what grounds did he argue this?

18. Fenby’s Argument
• The revolution did not bring the changes
that the revolutionaries wanted
• Local power holders remained in place
• Shift of regime not a big change
• Foreigners held onto concessions
• China unable to keep up with Japan

19. Contrasting View-Diana
Lary
Diana Lary argues that the revolution did lead to
fundamental changes in China
Firstly: Power becomes localized eg: No more
law of avoidance so regional powerbases can
appear
Secondly: Civilian power under the Qing
Mandarins/civil service shifts to Military Power
and the Warlord era

20. Question 4
• Look again at Fenby and Lary. Which
historian do you personally agree with? Or
do you have a different interpretation?
• What evidence would you use to support
your point?

21. TOK Link
Yuan Shikai’s failure to restore the monarchy
suggests something fundamental had changed in
political culture in China since the fall of the Qing.
What changes can lead to fundamental alterations
to a country’s political structure?
Are these changes real? Or just perceived?

22. Next Lesson
The 21 Demands