The Dynamics of the 1911-1912 Xinhai Revolution
Introduction
Historically, in 1900, China was tremendously dominated by foreign powers who primarily intended to control its economic ports. Nevertheless, the twentieth century has directed lots of wars and revolutions not only in China but other nations as-well-as a result of ideological transformations. The Xinhai Revolution, otherwise deemed best as the Revolution of 1911, was an evolutional revolt that significantly demonstrated drastic effects on the authoritarian imperial government of China and the Qing dynasty. Since Xinhai Revolution is a principal subject for this analysis, it is important to develop a comprehensive understanding of the significance of the Revolution in becoming a successful historical event in China and its impacts to the society. What caused the Xinhai revolution, and what was its effects towards the society? While the Xinhai Revolution greatly influenced interactions from the European powers towards China, without doubt, the Revolution comprised of many uprisings and revolts that fundamentally defined the beginning and end of the historicity of China.
Cause of the Xinhai Revolution
Primarily, according to historical books, the fundamental cause of the Revolution of 1911 is the existence of the unreliable and corrupt government of China. China demonstrated a weak and vulnerable link to the European powers because the Empress Cixi saw no need of staging a reform. At that point in time, the imperial government was inefficient in managing the ever-rising population. When the taxes were immensely, the peasants grew poorer and poorer while the rich amassed great richness. In the long term, the government became unmanageable, therefore, became a major hotspot for the European powers. The people inhabiting the Qing dynasty were being stricken by natural disasters and famine and consequently became very poor, let alone defend themselves. Alternatively, the educated elites began to champion for change in China by protecting its history, which in the real sense meant that the Imperialism had to be abolished (Close 170). The Qing dynasty had consistently failed to protect the interest of the Chinese people, and its governance was on the decline all through the nineteenth century. Its inability to protect China from foreign invasion weakened its legitimacy among the people.
Course of the Xinhai Revolution
In1895, uprisings to overthrow the dynasty began due to the efficiency level of the government. Sun Yat-sen, a historical figure, leads an unsuccessful rebellion in 1895 after trying to advocate for reforms that the regime was not providing. Sun Yat-sen fled to Japan after the uprising failed, where he met an eager audience for his ideas on improvements in China. While in Japan, he was recognized as the leader of the newly formed National Alliance, which was a group of anti-Qing members. Sun raised enough funds to buy ammunition and weapons that were transported to China in readiness for a revolution. When a contract was signed on April 5, 1911, a group of foreign investors began working on Huguang Railway in China’s central geographical location (Chapman 374). This episodic event fuelled uncertainty in operational management because the government of Beijing authoritatively took control of Sichuan’s local company. It came to investors’ knowledge that the processed loan did not qualitatively meet stockholders demands, and not long in September 1911, the discontentment fervently triggered an open revolt. On October 10, a mutiny broke out in Wuchang involving the troops that sparked the roots of the Revolution. Without realization, the arsenal and the Wuchang mint were soon captured.
The Chinese Revolution involved monarchy provinces in declaring independence, with Qing’s abdication in 1912 after safe guaranteed. Yuan Chai was appointed to save the dynasty and later made premier. Many sources agree with the fact that if Yuan Shikai acted proficiently, he could have swiftly suppressed the mutiny and alternatively belated the inevitable from happening. However, Yuan dallied, and before he knew it, the number of provinces declared against Qing totaled fourteen. Alternatively, in other cities, the Manchu garrisons experienced killings, and the termination of the regent office. The government of the Republic was instituted at Nanjing with Sun Yat-sen being elected as the provincial president after returning from abroad (Rong 198). Soon he resigned, and Yuan Shikai became president with Li Yuanhong as the vice president. Unfortunately, Yuan Shikai did not live up to the promises he made and turned the Republic into a dictatorship. Although different factions of the Chinese people were against the Qing for various reasons, they all agreed that the dynasty had failed and needed reforms. The Revolution demonstrated a need for establishing a democratic government and independent government free from foreign influences.
Impacts and consequences of the Xinhai Revolution
The long term impacts of the Revolution of 1911 signaled the end of the 4,000-year monarchial reign of China. This, in turn, positioned China to generate socialism ideology and also cultivate people’s convictions not to accept Imperialism and manchuism. Xinhai Revolution additionally projected a modernized way of living culturally as well as the founding of the Republic of China that significantly affects the operational developments. Although democracy did not flourish after the Revolution, the people became aware of the beneficial outcomes that were presented and were ready to fight for it (Van Der Valk 7). Individuals who were previously considered unfit for governance now had the opportunity to become leaders. Furthermore, the large population of peasants had better opportunities to pursue different ambitions since the feudal system was abolished. In terms of disadvantages, the Chinese Revolution caused the loss of territories bordering China, such as Mongolia. In effect, Mongolia set to seek for independence ultimately. According to Zhou Enlai, the Revolution eradicated Qing’s dominion and substantially terminated the two thousand reign of the monarchy. The participants’ minds were liberated significantly while opening development paths for the future.
An increased foreign influence over China was being realized in advancements such as medical instruments, the invention of technology, artistic designs in paintings, sculptures, and architecture. In shaping the political system of China, foreign influence has played a significant role not only to its people but also to its culture, traditions, customs, educational curriculum, and system. Surprisingly, failure to the 1911 revolution, China would still unfairly be under the dominion of absolute monarchical power (Zarrow 400). Speculatively, this would signal a tremendous impact on how China is today, the social class system would be lagging with a progressive cycle of poverty from generation to generations, and furthermore, the system of education would be experiencing uncertainties in preparing the youth for societal expectations. The Xinhai Revolution contributed to tremendous economic growth in China. It paved the way for modernization of the economy, and China pursued a more capitalistic approach. The monarchy’s structural and military weakness was exposed after China was defeated in the Sino-Japanese War. This, in turn, caused the globalists to arrive at the conclusion that China lags in military invention as well as in the economy. Thus, after the Revolution, China was quick to implement strategies that ensured rapid development.
Ten years later, China experienced a tremendous groundbreaking event, the Communist Party birthing. The Xinhai Revolution aftermath demonstrated important social changes in the society. The rise of Marxism found its roots in China while Communism emerged as a result of a whole lot of factors. As a matter of fact, not only did the Xinhai Revolution overturn the Qing Dynasty hegemony and topple the autocratic dynasty that had governed China for thousands of years, but it also contributed to the creation of the Republic of China. The process contributed to greater democratic rights, thus broadening the horizons of Chinese thinkers as they tried to challenge capitalism, which feudalist dominance. Nonetheless, China remained a semi-feudal and semi-colonial society after the 1911 Revolution. Exploitation and invasion by the imperial powers, in particular Japan, fervently to draw away China to the edge of extinction. Revolutionaries such as Sun Yat-sen had to travel to other countries and observe analyze development sectors with the hope of advancing China. Although the Qing Dynasty tirelessly made attempts to introduce developments such as Railways, in the long term, these projects were unsuccessful due to poor management (Wright et al., 1). In turn, the foreign nationals undertook the projects, and the people felt that China had become a semi-colony ruled by Western powers that controlled most of its resources.
Ever since the war, the PRC and Taipei have exclusively staked claims to the normative political identity and Chinese nationalism. In the arguments of historians, the feudal power that emerged after Revolution signaled two apparent transformations; the Zhan Xun and the Yuan Shikai. In both approaches, they were unsuccessful, meaning the remnants of feudal power were left with no other option but to return to China with a concept called guanxi. Through guanxi, citizens relied not on relationships substantiated in the feudal power but exclusively on individual bonding for survival (Blanchard 182). As a result of the manchuism effects, the Manchus were forced to live poor lives, with the communal men abstaining from marriage due to impoverished lives and the Han men taking for themselves Manchu women. Resultantly, the Manchus deviated from wearing Manchu clothing and even abolished the practice of Manchu traditions.
Conclusion
In summary, without question, China’s Qing dynasty significantly experienced massive hardships and defeats throughout the nineteenth century that influenced its total extinction in 1911. The triggered sequel events eminently resulted in emperor Puyi’s abdication. Though China ushered in a new democratic government, for a countless number of times, China has failed to bring the nation under control. Withdrawal from the Qing dominance created a regional power vacuum. Nationalism could thus not be easily realized because the reforms set forward could not offer substance in terms of revolutionary rhetoric and fundamental changes.
Works cited
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Chapman, H. Owen. CHINESE REVOLUTION; G E S The North – China Herald and Supreme Court & Consular Gazette (1870-1941);. Proquest Historical Newspapers: Chinese Newspapers Collection, 1928, p. 374.
Close, Upton. Finishing The Chinese Revolution; Millard’s Review Of The Far East (1919-1921);. Proquest Historical Newspapers: Chinese Newspapers Collection, 1920, p. 170.
Rong, Zuo. ZUO RONG ON REVOLUTION. 1903, pp. 197-202.
Van Der Valk, M.H. Kuomintang Government Era Sees Great Law Improvement; Chinese Criminal Code Is Third Evolved Since 1911 Revolution; All Rules And Definitions Eliminated. Proquest Historical Newspapers: Chinese Newspapers Collection, 1937, p. 7.
Wright, Mary Clabaugh, and Mary Clabaugh Wright, eds. China in Revolution: The First Phase, 1900-1913. Vol. 237. Yale University Press, 1968.
Zarrow, Peter. THE SEEDBED OF THE COMMUNIST REVOLUTION: THE PEASANTRY AND THE ANARCHO-COMMUNIST MOVEMENT. Columbia University Press, 2020, pp. 399-406.