Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 2 of 2
Full-Text Articles in Asian History
The Shortcomings Of The Philosopher President: Sun Yat-Sen’S Provisional Presidency Of 1912, Sean Gray
The Shortcomings Of The Philosopher President: Sun Yat-Sen’S Provisional Presidency Of 1912, Sean Gray
Undergraduate Craft of Research Prize Papers
This paper explores the brief administration of Sun Yat-sen, the first president of China, and why he failed to maintain power. I argue that during the provisional presidency, Sun tried to lay the groundwork for a modern constitutional republic centered around the “Three People’s Principles,” but he failed due to the broader political uncertainty brought by Yuan’s presence. When Yuan took power, Sun initially supported his administration, but soon he became frustrated with Yuan’s increasingly autocratic decisions. Sun’s political involvement, then, did not cease with the end of his presidential term; instead, he was politically active and even belligerently idealistic …
The Shortcomings Of The Philosopher President: Sun Yat-Sen’S Provisional Presidency Of 1912, Sean Gray
The Shortcomings Of The Philosopher President: Sun Yat-Sen’S Provisional Presidency Of 1912, Sean Gray
History & Classics Student Scholarship
As the twentieth century began, the Qing dynasty found itself besieged by foreign powers. Critically examining these powers, such as the United States and Great Britain, Chinese thinkers found themselves in a paradox regarding the country’s future. On one hand, China could adhere to Confucian tradition, rebuke Western ideals, and maintain its distinct culture. On the other, these foreign nations had swept into China, pillaged its treasuries, and slaughtered its armies. These nations clearly had great power, which some argued stemmed from their modernization and political structure. To modernize, these would-be revolutionaries thought that the country should adopt Western principles. …