Course of the 1911 Revolution

• Wuchang Uprising:

  • The revolutionaries in Wuhan reached a consensus to stage an uprising on 11 October 1911.
  • On 9 October, however, the revolutionaries accidentally set off a bomb while preparing weapons.
  • The Qing government then received from Russia the namelist of the revolutionaries and revolutionary proclamations.
• Wuchang Uprising:

  • Hence, the revolutionaries decided to stage the armed uprising on 10 October.
  • Backed by the Hubei New Army, the revolutionaries occupied Wuchang.
  • A military government was instantly set up.
  • The revolutionaries recommended Li Yuanhong, leader of the New Army, as the military governor.
• Wuchang Uprising:

  • Many other provinces such as Shanghai and Sichuan lent their support quickly to the uprising and declared independence from Qing rule within two months.
  • However, provinces such as Zhili and Shandong were still under the control of the Qing government.
• Establishment of the Republic of China:

  • In December 1911, Sun was elected as provisional president.
  • On 1 January 1912, the Republic of China was founded at Nanjing.
  • To turn the tide, the Qing government summoned Yuan Shikai, who was dismissed earlier on, to lead the Beiyang Army.
  • In an effort to prevent a civil war, Sun began negotiations with Yuan.
  • In return for Yuan's support for the republic to overthrow the Qing Dynasty, Sun agreed to step down and pass his residency to Yuan.
• The end of the Qing Dynasty

  • On 12 February 1912, Yuan Shikai succeeded in forcing Puyi to abdicate.
  • On 15 February, Yuan was elected as the Provisional President by the Provisional Senate.
  • In March 1912, Yuan was inaugurated as Provisional President in Beijing and formed the Beiyang government.
  • The Qing Dynasty, which had ruled China for 268 years, collapsed.