Yuan Shikai

General Yuan Shikai was the premier military commander of the late Qing dynasty. He served as Imperial Resident in Korea before the start of the Sino-Japanese War when Yuan Shikai returned to active military service. Later he was made commander of the New Army, the most modern military force in Imperial China. He turned against Emperor GuangXu to support Empress-Dowager Cixi in stopping reform efforts but after her death he made an agreement with the republican revolutionaries to obtain the Qing abdication in return for becoming President of the Republic of China. In December 1915 - January 1916 he proclaimed himself Emperor of China. However, the republicans adamantly opposed him while most monarchists remained loyal to the former Qing Emperor and his own family suffered from in-fighting over who would be heir-to-the-throne. Before 1916 was over he had been forced to abdicate, was expelled from power and died.

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Education

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• Yuan Shikai
• Emperor
• General
• China
• Qing
• Royalty
• History
• Monarchy

[wwigbc10]

The guy at time 0:56 is Duan Qirei, not Yuan Shikai

[MadMonarchist]

Yes, there are alot of people in there who are not Yuan Shikai.  ::/

[icecoldgalaxy]

I really really really like your videos. :D

[MadMonarchist]

Thanks, and don't let school get ya down, bummer though it may be, when you finish it will seem like the blink of an eye.

[anaclet]

Some people just don't know where they belong. How could a general ever dream of becoming Emperor of China?

[MadMonarchist]

I wouldn't have been for him myself, I think it would have been better to support the Qing dynasty already ruling, but, it was not a totally unprecedented idea for the general. The founder of the Ming dynasty was an uneducated peasant who eventually became Emperor and his was not the only case in Chinese history of that happening.

[thrillseeker70]

What music is this ?.

[redwhitedude]

Yuan shikai was an opportunist.

[626718]

@AquaExecution sure, or any emperors in China's past dynasties. I think Yuan genuinely believed that the Chinese people weren't ready for a democratic system like U.S. The people were mostly illiterate, and absolute rule was probably a more effective way of ruling.

[626718]

@initvesa There were rumors that Yuan, being supstitutious (common trait of chinese at the time) believed that nobody in Yuan's Clan can live past 60. However, if he becomes emperor, he can get past that curse. The reality was probably more of his son's doing. Yuan Keding wanted to take power, and the only way for Yuan Keding to takeover the throne is for Yuan Shikai to become Emperor. I'm sure that Yuan Keding did a lot to make it happen.

[626718]

@SeventhSun Very cunning, and capable man. I think his reputation suffered a lot due to the same reason why a lot people hate Li Hongzhang. They were the guys in the transitioning years, where China was really weak compared to other powers. A lot of the humuliating treaties were forced on China, and to be frank, there was no way anyone could do anything about it. China was just too weak to stand up to the foreigners. Yuan made the best of the situation, and we ought to grade him on a curve.

[626718]

@storage2point0 Yuan had a huge family, I hope that his descendants broke the "No male in Yuan's clan can live past 60" curse.

[626718]

@orionpirates Not true, I would put Cixi on the top of that list.

[626718]

@MadMonarchist If you look back in Chinese history, there are countless incidents where a powerful military general later usurp the throne. It happens all the time in Chinese history. Yuan Shikai actually came from a very affluent/powerful background. I think his uncle used to be a top ranked official in Qing court. ANd the Yuan family had a lot friends in high places. So, that no doubt contributed to Yuan's ascent into power.

[626718]

@MadMonarchist Well, Yuan had all the necessary conditions to become the president of China. 1) he had Beiyang Army (at the time most powerful) under his control 2) Cixi's death and the subsequent power vacuum. 3) Revolutionaries in the south that badly wanted peace, even at the cost of letting Yuan being the president.

[elazar79]

The First and Last Emperor during Warlord Era.