Question 1: Inability of the Chinese leaders to maintain control over all of China between 1800 and 1930.
Political leaders have always been trusted with daunting tasks and responsibilities that guarantee the best interest of their nation or the mandate to which they are assigned. Governance of a large population has proven to be difficult because of different and divisive views among the people. In the modern world, all nations have embraced democracy which ensures fair and equal treatment to all its citizens. In previous centuries, governance was difficult because of uncivilized and backward mechanisms of ruling such as dictatorship. Ruling was more complex in large empires and territories such as Rome and Mongolia and the ancient China region. This paper is going to discuss into detail Chinese leadership and its inability to maintain effective control over the country between the years 1800 and 1930 1
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From time immemorial, the Republic of China has been a political and democratic force to reckon with. With strong armies, the dynasty has managed to conquer major enemies in its path of progress. Mongolia was once a bitter rival of China, managing to conquer the empire and establishing its rule with its borders. The dominant and authoritative rule in ancient China managed to drive out Mongol and reclaim its throne. 2
Within its borders, however, China still faced challenges that made governance very difficult. For instance, in the period between 1899-1901, there arose an uprising in Northern China known as the “Boxer Rebellion”. Activists supporting this rebellion were seeking to drive out foreigners and the effect the foreigners had on the governance. The Qing administration was in power at this period but the government continued to weaken as foreign invaders such as Japan and Russia won some unfavorable concessions. 3
In 1911, more revolts arose with the backing of the military. Reformists such as Sun Yat-sen were in the forefront to ensure the success of this rebellion. With the culmination of this revolt, the previous emperor, Qin was abdicated as the last emperor in the ancient China empire. The success of these reforms brought challenges for the rulers that took over. For instance, during these period there was an emergence of warlords around the region. The Communist Party also had a remarkable rise at this time. It was very difficult for Sun Yat-sen to consolidate his rule under such conditions.
Question 2: Sun Yat-sen’s Background, Career, and Impact on China
The devotion and patriotism of Sun Yat-sen is long appreciated even after his death centuries ago. After China being humiliated by being defeated in wars, Sun Yat-sen started to plan rebellions so as to establish a different type of rule from the Qin administration. He sought to instill virtues such as democracy, social well-being as well as nationalism. He planned many revolts which were not successful. In 1895, his planned rebellion failed and he thereafter escaped abroad to seek for resources and support from influential global leaders. A series of rebellions continued with Sun as the main influential leader. In January 1 st , 1912, The Republic of China was inaugurated with Sun at the helm as the president. 4
A deal was struck the following month of February in the year 1912, which involved the resignation of Sun in exchange for the abduction of the previous emperor. Such a selfless decision ended the longest imperial rule of about 2,000 years. Part of the deal also allowed for the former Qin commander, Yuan Shikai to become the president (Sun and Mao, 1957) . Initially, it would have been thought that the two leaders had similar political ideologies of democracy. However, as time passed Yuan betrayed Sun by drawing to himself power and associating himself with warlords in the region. Devoted to see his vision come to reality, Sun still rallied up his supporters who shared in similar interests. He later allied himself with the Soviet Union because no other government was willing to help him declare war against the Republic of China especially at that time. Unfortunately, Sun Yat-sen passed on in 1925 without seeing his vision being realized. 5
Bibliography
Greenspan, Jesse. "5 Chinese Leaders You Should Know," HISTORY.Com , March 18, 2013, http://www.history.com/news/5-chinese-leaders-you-should-know
Collins, Terry. Ancient China: An Interactive History Adventure . Minnesota: Capstone Press, 2012.
Wells, Audrey. The Political Thought of Sun Yat-sen: Development and Impact. New York: Palgrave, 2001.
Gasster, Michael. Chinese Intellectuals and the Revolution of 1911. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1969
1 Collins, Terry. Ancient China: An Interactive History Adventure (Minnesota: Capstone Press, 2012), 13.
2 Collins, Terry. Ancient China: An Interactive History Adventure (Minnesota: Capstone Press, 2012), 16.
3 Greenspan, Jesse. "5 Chinese Leaders You Should Know," HISTORY.Com , March 18, 2013, http://www.history.com/news/5-chinese-leaders-you-should-know
4 Wells, Audrey. The Political Thought of Sun Yat-sen: Development and Impact. ( New York: Palgrave, 2001), 33.
5 Gasster, Michael. Chinese Intellectuals and the Revolution of 1911 ( Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1969), 23
