Yuan Shi-Kai and Warlord Politics II

Death of Yuan generated cenifugal forces and lead to 2 parrallel developments.
- Provincial military powerholders undermined the central powers and strengthened the forces of regionalism
- Monarchial movement and the rise of the warlordism heightened the sense of urgency among the intellectuals to find a new solution to China's problems

Conflicts between Li Yuanhong and Duan Qirui(Prime Minister, controlled Beiyang's Army)
- Issues of Joining World War I by Duan Qirui, in order to gain support from Japan for funds to increase Military Power in China
- Li obstructed Duan and dismissed Duan in May 1917
- Li sought military assistance from Zhang Xun, Governor of Anhui, causing Qing Dynasty to be restored on 1st July 1917, lasting 12 days
- Duan took the opportunity and overthrowed Li.

Warlord Period 1917-1927
- One government in Beijing under Duan's Control from 1917-1920
- One government in Guangzhou; Sun established a military government to start the Constitutional Protection Movement
- Warlords from different backgrounds and abilities; all seeking different purposes for China
- Army increased from 500,000 in 1914 to 900,000 in 1920 and increased to 1,500,000 in 1925
- 179 wars were fought from 1912-1922
- 46 cabinets during 1912-1927, politics not stable

Beiyang commanders split into 2 warring factions.
- Anhui's Clique under Duan Qirui, 1917-1920
- Zhili's Clique under Feng Guo Zhang, later Cao Kun and Wu Peifu controlling Beijing from 1920-1924
- Fengtian Clique under Zhang Zuolin dominated Beijing after 1924

related books:

China: Its History and Culture (4th Edition) (Paperback)
The Rise of Modern China (Paperback)
China's Republic (New Approaches to Asian History) (Hardcover)
China and the Origins of the Pacific War, 1931-41 (Paperback)

Yuan Shi-Kai and Warlord Politics I

After the establishment of the Republic; War of the Warlords

Yuan Shi-Kai lead to voluntary acceptance of the Republic by the Manchurians. He pledged his support to the repubic as the "Best Form of State", leading to the end of the Imperial administraion and monarchial system. Reasons that allowed him to come into power even though he was just a provincial president, was because he carries out the proper steps in ensuring China become Republic. Many view Sun Yet-Sen as an idealist and impractical. Yuan also controlled a vast military power in Northen China.

Power in which a prime minister hold, Yuan as provincial president do not control:
- take charge of political affairs- served as commander-in-chief of army and navy
- authorised to appoint ministers and diplomatic envoys
- entitled to declare war, negotiate peace, sign treaties
- Check were necessary by Senate's approval, curbing Yuan's full control in power

Yuan's Conflicts with the Revolutionaries
- Location of the Capital. Nanking or Beijing
- Sharing Power with the Cabinet(Tang Shaoyi, China's 1st Prime Minister, leading to the resignation of Tang Shaoyi in June 1912
- Torn between Legislations; supportors do not support Yuan, view him as a Tyrant
- Revolution Alliance absorbed four other political groups and reorganised as the National Party(GuoMingDang)
- Sun still supreme leader; de facto leader Song Jiaren
- Assasination of Song Jiaren by Yuan Shi-Kai
- 125 Million Dollars Loan for re-organisation of military power and authority control, borrowed from 5 powers consortium
- Yuan's action lead and resulted to the 2nd Revolution in 1913

Yuan's gradual step to dismantle the constitutional structure
- Forced the Parliament to elect him as President in Oct 1913
- Endorsed the dissolvement of National Party in Jan 1914
- arrested National Party Members in Beijing- Extended presidential term to 10 years, made president renewable by re-election with limit and have personal right to nominate his succesor in Dec 1914
- Engaged foreign advisors on governmental affairs (Frank Goodnow)
- Became the Emperor of China in December 1915

Yuan as Emperor
- Approved majority of 21 damands by Japan for specials rights in China; sign agreement with Russia in relation to Mongolia; Britain in Tibet
- His ambition brought forth the wrath of many to fall upon him
- The National Protection Army led by Cai Er ignited the National Protection Movement against Yuan (Yun Nan)
- Guizhou also cried out for independence soon after
- Military Affairs council formed by various council provinces against him
- Deserted by his Henchmen and overcome with shame and anxiety, Yuan suddenly died on June 6, 1916
- Yuan's Dynasty only lasted for 82 Days

related books:
China: Its History and Culture (4th Edition) (Paperback)
The Rise of Modern China (Paperback)
China's Republic (New Approaches to Asian History) (Hardcover)
China and the Origins of the Pacific War, 1931-41 (Paperback)