Xinhai revolution in China: the course of the revolution and the outcome

The Xinhai revolution in China became a natural consequence of the country's deep crisis, which swept it in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was at this time that the need for serious and profound changes in the state became evident, but the then government was not in a hurry with the reforms, although some steps in this direction did. The coup itself was immediately preceded by a powerful uprising, which again shocked the old socioeconomic and political system.

The movement for reforms

The Xinhai revolution in China, in principle, was inevitable, in view of the fact that the empire had long been in decline. This was clearly demonstrated by the events of the previous century, during which the weakness and inability of the state to resist both internal cataclysms and external onslaught was revealed. It's about the Taiping uprising and the opium wars. These two major upheavals revealed the weakness of the central government, but, moreover, led to the realization by some of the intelligentsia of the need for urgent changes in the Western European model, but with the preservation of traditional Chinese traditions and foundations.

Changes in the economy

The Xinhai revolution in China was caused by the historical necessity of changing the entire socio-political system. It was for the radical renewal of the society that supporters of the direction called "self-empowerment" spoke. His main ideologist was Kang Yu-Wei. The latter criticized the imperial government and called for a practical reorganization of the old system. This movement, basically, embraced the local provinces, whose leaders took vigorous measures to develop the economic sector. They carried out industrialization, built factories, developed the financial sector. In these conditions, the center remained somewhat aloof, although in words and even in some cases actually supported the reform movement. However, the Xinhai revolution in China was inevitable precisely because the old system of the Manchu dynasty outlived itself. At the turn of the century, her prestige was maintained at the expense of the authoritative Empress Cixi, but even her nephew Guangxi, who took the throne but was under her tutelage, was a supporter of decisive changes.

Insurrection

The situation in the country at the beginning of the century was aggravated by the discontent of the local population by the penetration of foreigners into the state. First of all, it concerned missionaries, as well as businessmen and financial figures. Inhabitants of the Celestial Empire believed that Western European influence adversely affected the development of the country. These sentiments led to the fact that throughout the country, harassment and attacks on foreigners began, which eventually resulted in the uprising of theirs in the year of 1900.

The mass movement for the preservation of national identity characterizes China during the awakening of Asia. The Xinhai Revolution became its most vivid manifestation, but it was preceded by a serious internal political upheaval of the whole empire. At first, the Qing government hesitated whether to support the uprising, but, finally, took its side. Along the country, the displacement of foreigners began. But the leading Western European states quickly assembled a large army and suppressed the speech, and the Cixi government went on reconciliation. But it was only a temporary respite before the new explosion and the final fall of the empire.

On the eve of the coup

The Xinhai revolution in China is connected with the name of Sun Yat-Sen, which at the turn of the century also adhered to the reformist movement. However, during the period of the events described above, there was no complete compromise between him and the self-helpers. He was a very educated person and was interested in radical changes in his homeland. Here it should be noted that in the decade before the final fall of the empire, the position of the Chinese youth became very active, and, having received an education according to Western European standards, sought to fully update the entire system.

As always, during the crises throughout the country, societies and various organizations began to emerge, which advocated the slogan of reforms. This was their fundamental difference from theirs, which did not speak for reforms, but for eliminating the influence of foreigners, which, in fact, excluded any innovations on the West European model, while Sun Yat-Sen's union proclaimed the need to overthrow the old dynasty And a complete update of the entire system.

Reform Center

In these circumstances, the government could not remain aloof. Realizing the seriousness of the reform movement, it took a number of measures (but not too serious) in order to ease tensions in society and demonstrate their readiness for change. So, for example, a number of steps were taken to modernize the army, legal proceedings, the traditional system of examinations for recruiting bureaucratic apparatus was abolished, and a system of colleges was created. Some of the most active supporters of the self-help policy, who suffered at the beginning of the century (some were executed, others were disgraced and were deported from the country), were returned from exile and pardoned. In addition, a draft constitution was drafted and a proposal to convene a parliament was put forward. But all these promises did not sound convincing, and after the death of Empress Cixi in 1908, the inevitability of the coup became obvious.

Preparation and coup

As mentioned above, the Xinhai Revolution in China is associated with the name of Sun Yat-Sen. It was he who became its ideological leader and the direct organizer. He created a union of his supporters, which gradually gained strength as the crisis of the empire grew. But most importantly, he created the ideology of the future order. Sun formulated three basic principles that formed the basis of his doctrine of China's future fate: "nationalism" - the overthrow of a foreign, Manchu dynasty, "democracy" - the establishment of a republican democratic system and the principle of people's welfare. In addition, he created a new organization called Tunmenghui, which was the backbone of all supporters of decisive change. By 1911, the empire had a favorable situation for a coup. Peasants, dissatisfied with the economic crisis, periodically took up arms. The Center, in turn, took a number of measures to tighten control over the population, which caused even greater discontent. The Xinhai revolution in China occurred in 1911: it began in the south of the country and took a wide swing. The initial coup attempt, however, failed, but by the end of the same year the empire had fallen.

First step

A big role in the upheaval was played by a new army, among which active propaganda against the empire was conducted. But the immediate impetus to the armed speech was the fact of nationalization of the state by one of the largest companies for the construction of the railway. This caused a storm of resentment and discontent, especially heightened because of the interference of foreign states in the internal affairs of the country. The Xinhai Revolution in China called the events that began in one of the southern provinces of the Sichuan Empire in September 1911. Initially, the insurgents were ravaged by police stations and tax departments, but after a mass shooting of an unarmed demonstration in the region, the entire population rose, which even managed to capture the main city center. The success of the performance was largely due to the action of secret societies, which during the crisis usually intensified. Nevertheless, the government at the cost of huge losses still suppressed the mutiny, but anti-Manchurian sentiment in the empire intensified.

Second phase

The Xinhai Revolution in China, whose years 1911-1912, continued with a new fairly powerful division performance in Wuchang. The performance was also prepared here, but it became known in advance. The executions began and arrests, then the whole military unit was transferred to the offensive. This happened in October 1911. The insurgents seized all three cities, formed their own government and called for the overthrow of the Ch'ing dynasty, and the state itself was declared a republic.

Residents confiscated all the government reserves on the ground, but most importantly, they managed to attract representatives of a new army to their side, whose participation in many ways ensured the success of the riot. The center was seriously intimidated by the scope of this movement and, summoning the talented general Yuan Shikai from the exile , the government suggested that he suppress the mutiny, but he, still a good diplomat, refused because he did not want to look like an executioner. Then the government tried to convene the parliament and the government, but these measures did not lead to anything. The tough actions of the authorities in the suppression of a number of cities even more tended the population against the center, and in the end, the supreme advisory chamber sided with the Republicans, demanding an investigation.

The third stage

The Xinhai revolution in China, the causes of which - a deep internal political crisis and the weakening of imperial power, gained wide scope after many southern provinces joined the insurgents. In these circumstances, the center again tried to negotiate with Shikai. He demanded in return for his services to fulfill the following conditions: a general amnesty, the transfer of full power to him, the convening of parliament and the Cabinet. While the two sides were leading these negotiations, a new rebellion broke out in October of the same year in Shijiazhuang, which threatened to develop into a general campaign against Beijing to overthrow the dynasty. This development did not suit Shikai, who could stay away. Only after the murder of one of the leaders of the new army, the mutiny was temporarily suspended.

Fourth stage

The Xinhai Revolution in China, which should be briefly described in its main periods, developed rapidly due to the fact that the army units joined the insurgents. After the events described above, panic began in the capital of the empire: many representatives of the Manchu nobility hastily left the country. At that time, the figure Shikai became especially important, who, in essence, removed the emperor from power, appropriated the authority of the supreme ruler, becoming prime minister.

However, the uprising continued to develop at a rapid pace. At the end of October, one after another, parts of the Nanyang Army began to rebel. Meanwhile, Shikai enlisted the support of a number of Western powers, who hoped that he would crush the mutiny. However, the general himself did not hasten to take active measures, since, trying to maintain his power and influence, skillfully maneuvered between Republicans and the imperial power. Both sides sought to secure his support, and for some time did not go into open armed confrontation, hoping for a peaceful settlement. Shikai also intimidated the imperial family with the possibility of their physical destruction, while the Republicans threatened to suppress the uprising. He insisted on the need for a constitutional monarchy, but the insurgents demanded the republic, agreeing that the general himself become president. Meanwhile, the empire continued the process of separation from the center of a number of provinces.

Actions by Shikaya

The Xinhai revolution in China, whose periods are extremely short-lived, entered a somewhat protracted phase in the fall of 1911 as a result of negotiations between the new prime minister, the imperial authorities and the Republicans. However, realizing that in order to strengthen his authority, he needed to take a decisive step, he organized a punitive expedition to the south in order to frighten the insurgents and show him his power. Taking Hanyang, he decided to stop at this, because the complete defeat of the Republicans was not part of his plans, he expected to continue maneuvering between them and the imperial forces.

After the events described above, the Prime Minister went on a compromise with the rebels: he concluded a treaty with them, according to which the country was divided into two parts: the northern, where the monarchy was preserved, and the southern where the republic was established. Shikai considered with the Republicans the possibility of nominating his candidacy for the presidency, while he gradually limited the power and authority of the imperial leadership. From his submission, the ruler was the aunt of the emperor, who did not enjoy influence. The lesson "The Xinhai Revolution in China" is interesting in that it shows the rapidity of the coup and the irreversibility of the fall of the empire. However, the insurgent Republicans could not achieve complete unity. This was particularly evident during the negotiations in December 1911, when the north operated smoothly, and the south was divided. In connection with the fact that the negotiations with Shikai dragged on, the Republicans handed over the authority of Sun Yat-Sen, but on the condition that he would give up his post if the former manages to come to an agreement. During a short period in power, he managed to rally the forces of the south into a single whole and create a temporary senate for administration. Then Shikai declared the need to preserve the monarchy, and the south, in turn, threatened him with civil war.

Establishment of the Republic

The results of the Xinhai Revolution in China were extremely important for the future fate of this country, since it led to the overthrow of the Qing dynasty. This happened in February 1915, and the general was proclaimed president.

Sun Yat-Sen in the interests of national unity gave way to General Shikai, who in the north convened the parliament. However, this body failed to create a government, moreover, the new ruler made an attempt to restore the empire, which met with sharp opposition in the country. The results of the Xinhai revolution in China are assessed differently by historians, many of whom note the absence of a unified program among the insurgents, the common party and the coherence of actions.

Shikai in 1915 proclaimed himself emperor and solemnly crowned himself in the palace, announcing the need to restore the old order. This led to a new activation of the republic's south. After the Xinhai Revolution, China's foreign policy situation changed. One of its most important consequences was the separation from the state of Mongolia, which gained independence.