China's Republican Era, 1911 to 1949

Comprehensive Unit155 pagesGrade Level: High School – Community CollegeIncludes curriculum unit + CD-ROM The establishment of the Republic of China in 1911 did little to solve China’s domestic and international problems. The country remained in political, economic, and social turmoil despite the presence of an entirely new governing structure. Sun Yatsen’s best efforts to carry out his visionary plan for a republican style of government were repeatedly thwarted by President Yuan Shikai and his own dictatorial quest for power. But even Yuan’s death in 1916 did little to improve the situation.The world continued to change and evolve in ways that directly impacted China’s welfare and future. World War I, the continued bullying by Western powers, and Japan’s increased aggression further encroached upon China’s sovereignty and fueled feelings of nationalism. Meanwhile, some Chinese intellectuals saw hope for China in the Bolsheviks’ success in the Russian Revolution. China’s dismal ci