Qing Dynasty Research Paper

In February 1912, the long lived Qing dynasty of China fell. Ever since it’s creation as an independent country, China was ruled under multiple empires and dynasties highlighting what is known as the imperial era. However, this all came crashing down as the Qings, led by six year old emperor Pu Yi, were forced out of power by the angry Chinese citizens. Distraught and restless, the people yearned for a new leadership style, hoping to alleviate the onset threats of corruption and poverty in the government brought on by the former leaders. Seeing an opening, famous politician and general Yuan Shikai seized these reigns and took China to mold into a monarchy, with himself serving as the first premier president under the new title as the Hongxian Emperor. However, only two months after his declaration of power, …show more content…
The Qing has collapsed only a few short years before, leaving the burden of debt for decades to come. Already in debt from tragedies such as the Boxer Rebellion and Sino Japanese War, “Yuan Shikai borrowed a further 3.5 million [yuan] from Swiss and Austrian banks” (Van de Ven 834). All together this left China’s foreign debt numerals high in the millions, with the import and export rates headlining a negative thirty million dollar expense. (Frolich 3). Debt was taking its toll on China, leaving the country in desperate need of change. However, due to the scarcity of any surpluses, China, during and after Yuan, was unable to progress, halting any further expansion. Furthermore, personal loans Shikai took out were increased, in an effort to mobilize the standstill economy and maximize his authority by crushing any opposing groups. These loans came from imperialists who looked to capitalize on any economic faults in China’s system, thinking on the terms of a personal

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