Background and Causes of the 1911 Xinhai Revolution
- The Qing dynasty was already weakened by defeats, corruption, and failed reforms such as the Late Qing Reforms (1901–1911).
- Growing foreign control and economic exploitation humiliated China and deepened nationalist anger.
- Educated Chinese, especially students and overseas communities, began supporting revolutionary movementsinspired by Sun Yixian.
- The New Army, formed under the Late Qing Reforms, spread revolutionary ideas among soldiers.
- The revolution began accidentally with the Wuchang Uprising (October 1911) after a bomb plot was discovered.
Definition
Nationalism
- Belief in collective national identity and the right to self-determination.
Definition
Uprising
a sudden revolt or rebellion against authority.
Sun Yixian and Revolutionary Ideology
The Three Principles of the People
- Sun Yixian promoted nationalism, democracy, and people’s livelihood as the foundation of a new China.
- He wanted to end Manchu rule and establish a government “of the people, by the people, for the people.”
- His movement, the Tongmenghui (United League), united revolutionary groups under one vision.
- His ideas attracted students, overseas Chinese, and intellectuals, but not widespread peasant support.
Growth of Revolutionary Support
- Secret societies and reform-minded soldiers helped spread revolutionary propaganda.
- The railway nationalization crisis (1911) angered investors and sparked protests against the Qing government.
- The Wuchang Uprising quickly spread across provinces, showing how fragile Qing authority had become.
- Within weeks, fifteen provinces declared independence from Beijing.
The Collapse of the Qing Dynasty (1911–1912)
- The Qing dynasty’s military and bureaucracy were too weak to control nationwide uprisings.
- Provincial governors refused to send troops to support the dynasty, showing loyalty had collapsed.
- Yuan Shikai, commander of the Beiyang Army, negotiated with revolutionaries instead of fighting them.
- By early 1912, the Qing emperor abdicated, ending more than 2,000 years of imperial rule.
- Sun Yixian became the provisional president of the new Republic of China in January 1912.
