Sun Yat-sen Facts & Worksheets

• • Disseminated propaganda: The organisation published newspapers and pamphlets to spread its message and rally support for its cause. These publications helped to raise awareness of the Qing Dynasty's failings and popularise the Tongmenghui's vision for a new China.

Three Principles of the People

• After the failure of an uprising in 1895, Sun Yat-sen went into exile and spent time travelling and reflecting. During this time, he developed his revolutionary ideology, drawing inspiration from both Western political thought and traditional Chinese values. This resulted in the formulation of his famous Three Principles of the People, a powerful articulation of his vision for a revitalised and modern China.
• • Mínzú (Nationalism): This principle called for the liberation of China from foreign domination and the establishment of a unified, independent nation. Sun believed that centuries of imperial rule, particularly the recent humiliations inflicted by Western powers and Japan, had eroded China's national consciousness and left it vulnerable to exploitation. He sought to awaken Chinese nationalism, uniting the Han Chinese majority and other ethnic groups within China's borders to create a powerful and independent nation.

• • Mínquán (Democracy): Sun envisioned a China governed by the people, with a representative government ensuring their rights and freedoms. He believed the Qing Dynasty's autocratic rule had denied the Chinese people a voice in their own governance. Drawing inspiration from Western democratic ideals, Sun advocated for a constitutional republic, with elected representatives responsible for representing the will of the people.

• • Mínshēng (Socialism): This principle aimed to improve the lives of ordinary Chinese people through economic reforms and social welfare. Sun recognised that poverty, economic inequality, and exploitation were major sources of instability in China. He advocated for policies that would promote economic development, improve living standards, and ensure a more equitable distribution of wealth. This included land reform, industrialisation, and the development of social welfare programmes.
• The Three Principles of the People represented a synthesis of Western ideas and Chinese aspirations. They provided a compelling vision for a new China, one that was free, strong, prosperous, and governed by the people. While the full realisation of Sun’s would prove to be a long and arduous journey, his Three Principles remained a source of inspiration for generations of Chinese revolutionaries and reformers.

Xinhai Revolution

• The culmination of Sun Yat-sen's early revolutionary efforts came with the 1911 Revolution, also known as the Xinhai Revolution. Discontent with the Qing Dynasty continued to grow within China while he was in exile. 
• The mishandling of the 1911 Railway Protection Movement sparked the Wuchang Uprising on 10 October. This event, stemming from a failed attempt to suppress a local protest, quickly escalated into a full-blown revolution.
• Although Sun was not directly involved in the initial uprising in Wuchang, his years of revolutionary organising and the powerful message of the Three Principles of the People were important to the revolutionary cause. News of the Wuchang Uprising galvanised revolutionary forces across the country, and province after province declared their independence from the Qing Dynasty.
• Sun returned to China amidst the chaos and was elected as the provisional president of the newly established Republic of China on 29 December 1911. The revolution ended with the abdication of the six-year-old Last Emperor, Puyi, on 12 February 1912.
• Sun's presidency was short-lived. He agreed to step down in favour of Yuan Shikai, a powerful Qing general, in hopes of preventing further bloodshed and ensuring a smooth transition of power.

Challenges and Setbacks

• Sun Yat-sen's journey to revolutionise China was met with obstacles, setbacks, and betrayals. Despite his commitment to his ideals, he faced a number of challenges throughout his revolutionary career.
• From the outset, Sun struggled with internal divisions within the revolutionary movement. Different revolutionary groups often held conflicting visions for China's future, leading to disagreements over strategy and ideology. He struggled to maintain unity and cohesion among these disparate factions, hindering the movement's effectiveness.
• One key point of contention was the role of constitutionalism and democracy. Sun, influenced by Western ideals, advocated for a constitutional republic with elected representatives. 
• However, some factions, such as those under Song Jiaoren, who formed the Kuomintang, the Tongmenghui's successor, favoured a more centralised, authoritarian approach because they thought that China needed a strong leader to unify and stabilise the country. 
• This disagreement on the form of government and the pace of democratic reforms hindered the movement's unity.
• A lack of resources also consistently hindered Sun's revolutionary efforts. Operating primarily in exile, he relied heavily on overseas Chinese communities for financial support and manpower. This dependence limited his ability to launch sustained campaigns against the Qing Dynasty and forced him to rely on sporadic uprisings that were easily suppressed.
• The emergence of Yuan Shikai, a powerful Qing general, also presented a significant challenge to Sun's leadership. While Yuan initially pledged allegiance to the Republic, his true ambitions lay in consolidating power for himself. 
• Sun's decision to step down from the presidency in favour of Yuan, hoping to ensure a peaceful transition, backfired, as Yuan quickly betrayed the revolution and established himself as a dictator.
• Sun's attempts to challenge Yuan Shikai's rule in the Second Revolution of 1913 ended in failure, forcing him back into exile. Subsequent efforts to challenge Yuan's rule also failed, causing disillusionment and division within the revolutionary movement.
• Following Yuan Shikai's death in 1916, China descended into an era of warlordism, which complicated Sun's efforts to establish a unified and democratic nation. The country fractured into competing fiefdoms ruled by powerful warlords, each vying for control. This period of instability and division hampered efforts to regain the revolutionary cause.

Death and Legacy

• Sun Yat-sen's leading role in overthrowing the Qing Dynasty and establishing the Republic earned him the title "Father of Modern China". His political philosophy, embodied in the Three Principles of the People, continues to resonate within China and beyond. These principles provided a framework for national development and inspired generations of Chinese leaders.
• Despite his efforts, Sun died before witnessing the realisation of a truly unified and democratic China. His passing on 12 March 1925, in Beijing, at the age of 58, due to liver cancer, sparked national mourning. His successors, struggling with internal divisions, warlordism, and Japanese aggression, struggled to fully implement his vision.
• Despite the challenges, his commitment to national rejuvenation, social justice, and democratic ideals remains a powerful force in shaping China's identity. His death marked the end of an era, but his legacy continues to shape a nation's trajectory.