Beijing, China-- Stories about Sun Yat-sen have spread across China with very few people knowing the true story behind him, and how he started the new revolution that we have on our hands today. Last week was a huge turning point in the revolution as Dr. Sun relinquished his position as president of the republic to Yuan Shih-kai (see photo to left, right of Dr. Sun) after only holding that title for a short three months (2). To truly understand the importance of this action you have to understand the history of Dr. Sun and how he came to be in the position he is in today.

Although he was born in China, Dr. Sun left China for Honolulu, Hawaii at the age of 13. While spending his high-school years away from China, he was very influenced by American life, and he learned many of the ideas that he is using today. After finishing high-school Dr. Sun prepared to be a doctor, and again stayed out of China when he went to medical school in Hong Kong in 1892. When Dr. Sun finally returned to China and looked at the politics in China he was disgusted and immediately wanted change (3). Dr. Sun especially disliked the Manchu dynasty. As everyone knows the Manchu dynasty was in permanent economic problems, never got over the Taiping Rebellion, and thier refusal to modernize cost our country money, wars, and respect from other nations (4). A common misconception of Dr. Sun is that his rebellion was completely successful. In 1895 Dr. Sun went to his hometown of Canton to plan his first uprising, and at first failed. Because of the danger that comes with leading a rebellion, Dr. Sun went on a exile in which he went to Japan, back to America, and eventually was found and captured in London. After escaping, Dr. Sun managed to get to Tokyo in 1905 to form the revolutionary group Tongmenghui. With this group Dr. Sun went to start achieving his goals, like to get rid of the Manchus, establish the Republic, and restore China to its former greatness (5).

Now, in the present day Dr. Sun is a great leader who has accomplished a lot. Many people heard when the revolutionists overthrew the capitol in Hupeh, and many people knew that the Manchu dynasty was over, but very few people knew of the man, Sun Yat-sen who was behind it (6). Dr. Sun himself said "After the Chinese Revolution, the Powers realized that it would be exceedingly difficult to dismember China by political force. A china which had learned how to revolt against the control of the Manchus would be sure some day to oppose the political control of the powers"(7).

Recently, Dr. Sun gave his position as president to Yuan Shih-kai. Shih-kai, who was a member of the old order is a master in the field of military, and he will try and use that knowledge to guide the republic. Although he has a good reputation, and he did a great job in driving out the Manchus (8), you have to wonder if Dr. Sun made the right decision stepping down? Dr. Sun was a leader who gave lectures and had great ideas. Even though he was not a hands-on leader who was always in China with his men, he was a great leader and inspiration for the revolutionary people. Now that he is no longer president Dr. Sun will continue to teach people his principles of democracy, and give lectures on his way of life.

Sources

1. Dr. Sun Yat-sen, The Three Principles of the People (Republic of China: China Publishing Company, 1981), 51-52
2. Yat-sen, xi
3. Yat-sen, ix
4. Jackson J. Spielvogel, World History The Human Odyssey (Cincinnati: West Educational Publishing, 1998) 770-776
5. Spielvogel, 779-780
6. Yat-sen, xi
7. Yat-sen, 7
8. Arthur Cotterell and David Morgan, China's Civilization (New York: Praeger Publishers, 1975), 266-271

Images

1. Schoenherr, Steven. "Wilson and the New Diplomacy." [http://history.sandiego.edu/gen/classes/diplo177/wilsonoutline.html]. January 25, 2002.

2. "CNN In-Depth Specials - Visions of China - Profiles:Mao Tse-tung." [http://asia.cnn.com/SPECIALS/1999/china.50/inside.china/profiles/mao.tsetung/]. 2001.

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