Title: Failed Legacy: The Early Days of the New Republic
Abstract: The success of Wuchang Revolt in October 1911 opened a new chapter for the Chinese history. With the abdication of Qing emperor, and the establishment of the republic, China was given a great opportunity to form a sound modern government. However, notwithstanding its five thousands of years of glorious civilization and all the trials and tribulations, this country yielded itself to brutal forces, letting itself to be dominated by warlords with strongest military power. Up until Northeastern warlord Zhang Xueliang vowed allegiance to the revolutionary government in 1928, leading to national unification, for over a decade, a whirlwind of political incidents were staged: Second Revolution, Yuan Shikai Seizure of Crown, State Protection Movement, the Manchu Restoration led by general Zhang Xun, Constitution Protection Movement, South North Separation. During the timeframe, six constitutional documents were produced; among them, three were formally promulgated. However, none truly lived up to their names and failed to generate a substantial effect, politically or socially. Although monarchism had been put to an end in China, a stable social order failed to take over while China continued to be mired in chaos and anarchy. As a popular saying of the day says: “the barbarians were easy to kick out, the Republic is hard to build.”
Publication Year: 2014
Publication Date: 2014-12-15
Language: en
Type: book-chapter
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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