The Early Republic

Abstract

The Wuchang uprising of 10 October 1911 provided a direct impetus for declarations of independence which spread through thirteen provinces within a month, stretching from Shanxi in the north to the whole of South China. The declarations were based upon a rejection of the Qing dynasty as a Manchu imposition and were announced in most cases by the provincial assemblies or the New Army units or both. The takeover of power was generally quick and relatively bloodless, a sign that the Qing dynasty had outlived its support. The direct involvement of the overseas revolutionary parties was limited except in Shanghai and Guangdong, but in the absence of a clearly acceptable candidate for a Chinese emperor to replace the Qing, all the rebelling provinces readily grasped at the republican formula as another basis for their actions. Coordination between the rebels was urged in telegrams from the leaders in Wuchang and Shanghai in November. In early December at Wuchang, delegates from the rebel provinces had outlined a new government structure, while Nanjing, captured on 2 December, emerged as the seat of the provisional government. Most of the provincial representatives from seventeen provinces had reached there by the latter part of December.