Chronology1894: Dr Sun Yat-sen creates the Revive China Society and attempts uprisings in Guangzhou (Canton)
1895: Dr Sun kidnapped by the Chinese legation in London 1903: Dr Sun publishes Three People’s Principles: People’s Livelihood, Democracy, Nationalism 1904: Dr Sun forms the Tongmenhui – the United League – in Tokyo 1907: Anqing rebellion is a failure 1908: Death of the Guangzu Emperor and Empress Dowager Cixi, Puyi becomes emperor 1911: Tongmenhui attempt a revolt in Guangzhou (fails) Double Tenth Revolution breaks out in Wuhan and spreads to most Chinese provinces. Chinese Republic declared. SYS fundraising overseas at the time. 1912: 1st Jan: Dr Sun Yat-sen declared provisional president of the Chinese Republic in Nanjing. February: Qing Emperor abdicates, Dr Sun resigns, Yuan Shikei is declared president of the Chinese Republic in Beijing |
LinksThe Chinese revolution of 1911 -Funfront, comprehensive and very detailedThe Chinese Revolution of 1911 -Rana Mitter Podcast Covers the revolution aimed at A-Level/IB students
Overview of the revolution of 1911 -Can you spot which interpretation/perspective of the three below this account supports? China 1911:The Birth of China's Tragedy -Brilliant article by Jonathan Fenby (paywalled) U.S.Department of State Account |
Importance of Sun Yat-sen's Kidnapping-Diana Lary, historian
"In 1896 Sun's travels took him to London - where he was kidnapped by Chinese agents. He got off an omnibus at Oxford Circus and was walking north when he was surrounded by three men; they carried him into the Chinese Embassy in Portland Place, where he was imprisoned in an attic.' Sun's activities within the small Overseas Chinese community in the East End had become known to the embassy; he was regarded as a dangerous terrorist. The embassy's plan was to smuggle him out of England, back to China and a certain death. Sun became a celebrity. His kidnapping transformed him from a man of limited importance, unknown outside a narrow sphere of Overseas Chinese, into the acknowledged leader in the fight for political change within China."
Question: Why does Diana Lary see the attempted kidnapping of Sun Yat Sen by Qing agents as important? Use evidence from the text to support your point
Historiography: Three interpretations of the 1911 Revolution- Peter Zarrow
revolutionaries’ revolution
"The first school (Taiwan), emphasizing the revolutionary |
bourgeoisie’s revolution
"The second school is Marxist (PRC), suggesting that a modern revolution would move inevitably through a bourgeois phase leading finally to the victory of the proletariat." |
urban gentry’s revolution
"The third school (Western) sees 1911 less as the product of deliberate, creative action, and more the result of the decay and final collapse of an old, malfunctioning system." |
Task
These interpretations overlap a great deal. Use the links above to see which interpretation you agree with most?