The Xinhai Revolution: Achieving Progress Through Division

Jul 19, 2024

Throughout the long course of human history, the alternation between division and unity has formed the main theme of the development of many nations and societies. Division is often propagated as synonymous with turmoil and instability, causing people to fear and reject it. However, historical facts tell us that division and progress are often closely intertwined. To achieve progress, we must recognize that division is sometimes inevitable and can become a significant driving force for societal advancement.

The Xinhai Revolution: From Division to Republic

The Xinhai Revolution was a pivotal political change in modern Chinese history. On October 10, 1911, the Wuchang Uprising occurred, with revolutionary forces quickly capturing Wuchang, Hankou, and Hanyang, establishing a military government and declaring Hubei’s independence. This sparked a nationwide response, with provinces such as Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangdong, and Zhejiang following suit by declaring independence and breaking away from Qing rule, leading to the rapid collapse of the Qing Dynasty.

Although the Xinhai Revolution brought short-term chaos and instability, including the independence of various regions and subsequent warlordism, it was also a crucial step in China’s transition from feudal imperialism to republicanism. The revolution ended over two thousand years of feudal imperial rule and established the Republic of China, initiating China’s modernization process.

After the Wuchang Uprising, the Qing government sent Minister of the Army Yin Chang with the Beiyang Army to attack the Jiangbei towns of Hankou (Xiakou) and Hanyang in Wuhan. The government then reinstated Yuan Shikai, the original leader of the Beiyang Army, to stabilize the new army. The revolutionary forces fought in the Battle of Yangxia but were ultimately defeated, retreating to Wuchang on November 27. During 47 days of combat, they suffered over ten thousand casualties but continued to hold Wuchang across the river. Within these seven weeks, 15 provinces in China declared independence from the Qing court. By December 18, when the North-South peace negotiations began, 13 out of the 18 provinces within the Great Wall had experienced armed uprisings, with 13 provinces, including Hubei, Hunan, Shaanxi, Jiangxi, Yunnan, Jiangsu (including Shanghai), Guizhou, Zhejiang, Anhui, Guangxi, Fujian, Guangdong, and Sichuan, declaring independence. Only Zhili, Henan, Gansu, Shanxi, and Shandong remained under Yuan Shikai’s control, although even within these provinces, some regions, such as Ningxia in Gansu, had declared independence before being reoccupied by Yuan’s forces.

The Positive Role of Division

The period of division following the Xinhai Revolution was not without significance. It sparked nationwide political, ideological, and cultural changes, leading to the emergence of new ideas and systems that propelled social progress and development. Despite the temporary appearance of warlord conflicts, it was during this period that the concepts of democracy and republicanism gradually took root, laying the foundation for the establishment of a modernized nation in the future.

Periods of division often accompany the disintegration of old systems and the emergence of new ideas. Different interest groups and social classes, in their struggle for power, continuously propose new governance concepts and policies, promoting the liberation and innovation of societal thought. In 1915, the New Culture Movement arose, advocating democracy and science while opposing feudal ethics and old culture. Intellectuals like Chen Duxiu, Hu Shi, and Lu Xun used publications like New Youth to spread new ideas, promoting a literary revolution and the vernacular movement, fostering the liberation of thought in society. The May Fourth Movement of 1919 was a profound ideological and cultural change. The movement’s slogans of “Mr. Democracy” (德先生) and “Mr. Science” (赛先生) further stimulated criticism of feudal ideas and the pursuit of new culture, advancing the modernization of society.

During periods of division, various local governments often carried out a series of institutional reforms to consolidate their positions, introducing new governance models. Although these reforms had varying degrees of success, they generally promoted institutional progress and enhanced governance capabilities. For example, after the Xinhai Revolution, many regions drafted local constitutions and practiced constitutional government. Although most of these practices were short-lived, they explored the possibilities of modern rule of law and democratic institutions, providing references for later constitutional reforms. Moreover, during the tumultuous times, various regions implemented educational reforms and established new forms of education, cultivating a large number of modern talents. This laid the foundation for subsequent technological progress and social development. Additionally, the municipal management systems experimented with in cities like Shanghai reflected the budding ideas of modern urban governance, offering valuable experience for local self-government.

The turmoil of division often forces more people to participate in political and social affairs, thereby enhancing the overall mobilization capacity and civic awareness of society. This laid a broad social foundation for the establishment of a modern political system. After the Xinhai Revolution, various political parties were established, exploring new forms of political participation. For instance, parties like the Kuomintang and the Chinese Revolutionary Party, through political campaigns and public advocacy, fostered political participation among the populace, advancing the development of party politics. Industrialists promoted the idea of “saving the country through industry” and focused on developing national industry. For example, entrepreneurs like Zhang Jian founded a series of textile and machinery enterprises in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, pushing forward the early industrialization.

Conclusion

History teaches us that while division brings turmoil and uncertainty, it often serves as a crucial driving force for societal progress. Achieving self-renewal through division is an important rule of historical development. As demonstrated by the Xinhai Revolution, only through upheaval and change can society rejuvenate itself in the transition between the old and the new, moving towards a brighter future. Therefore, when faced with division, we should not view it too negatively but recognize it as a potential necessary path to progress.

– This text was translated by AI. –