Reflections on the 1911 Revolution: Leadership and Chinese History

This essay presents a student's reflection on the Chinese Revolution of 1911, with a focus on the pivotal role of Sun Yat-sen in overthrowing the Qing Dynasty and establishing the Republic of China. The reflection delves into Sun Yat-sen's Three Principles of the People—Nationalism, Democracy, and Prosperity—and explores the challenges faced by the new regime, including internal unrest and the rise of Yuan Shikai's military dictatorship. The author contemplates alternative strategies, such as forming alliances with influential figures like Yuan Shikai and swiftly establishing a constitution, to stabilize the nation. Ultimately, the essay underscores the significance of strong leadership and revolutionary vision in shaping history, fostering a sense of respect for national leaders and a commitment to national responsibility. The student also reflects on the lessons learned from the revolution, emphasizing the power of a determined nation and its leaders to achieve transformative change.

Running Head: History of China
History of China
Revolution of 1911-Reflection

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Reflection
After studying about the Chinese Revolution of 1911, I could strongly relate myself with
Sun Yat-sen who played a pivotal role in overthrowing the last imperial rule of China,
the Qing Dynasty, which led to building a base for the Xinhai Revolution (Teichman,
2016). Born in 1865 the great Chinese nationalist leader was the first president of the
Chinese Republic. I admire him and relate with him also because of his adoption of three
principles of people; Nationalism, democracy and prosperity. Sun Yat Sen was pioneer
in getting China the kind of freedom it deserves and laid the foundation stone of it, also
popularly called as the father of modern China.
The Qing dynasty was destroying China in its roots through humiliation and
harassment, the people wanted to end the authoritarian rule of the imperial dynasty for
good and establish a Republican monarch. Plethora of revolutionaries was gathering
support for making China free from the last imperial Qing Dynasty (Knight, 2018). It
was an end of an era of almost 2000 years which finally led to the establishment of
Republic of China. I believe that if I was present in the war, in actual, it would have been
more beneficial as using own tactics and strategies to not only win the war, but
connecting with people in the Republic of China was more important. I would have
wanted to stay as a leader for a longer duration of time, work alongside people, using
my tact and wishful strategies to upsurge the authoritarian rule of the imperial dynasty.
I would have made some pact with the Yuan Shikai family, offered them a crucial role in
the Republic of China and use his expertise in military dictatorship.
It puzzled me to see that even after such a strong revolution and giving power in the
hands of the powerful leader Sun-Yat-Sen, the regime failed to unify the country under
its control. It really made me ponder how such a powerful, influential and a loved leader
was toppled so easily by the military dictatorship, it makes me sense some foul play in
his leadership or his associates. There was a lot of unrest in Republic of China even after
the Qing dynasty was dethroned and Sun-Yat-Sen took over the control. At the same
time, Sun-Yat Sen was quickly sent into exile and was toppled by Yuan Shikai & his
military dictatorship.

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Ideally, all the miscreants should have been sent to exile or in lockups and immediately
coming up with a constitution would have been more legitimate and brought rest and
peace in the regime .The events did not change, but it surely made me realize that a
strong willed nation and its revolutionaries can always achieve unimaginable results for
its people. It is the power, courage and a vision of the revolutionaries and the leader
which has shaped the entire history across the world. It gives me a feeling of immense
love and respect towards the leaders of my nation and an added sense of responsibility
towards my nation.

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References
Knight, J. M. (2018). Savior of the East: Chinese Imaginations of Soviet Russia during the
National Revolution, 1925-1927. Twentieth-Century China, 43(2), 120-138.
Teichman, E. (2016). Affairs of China: a survey of the recent history and present
circumstances of the Republic of China. Routledge.