Brief Discussion On Hongxian Monarchy

Hongxian Monarchy took place after Xinhai Revolution, when Qing Dynasty was overthrown, democratic republic of bourgeoisie was established and the notions of democracy and republic were widely spread. It is considered as a farce in modern history of China. Although its duration is rather short, the study on it is of extremely historical and real meaning. This text is to discuss its occurrence and ruination so as to find out the riddle of monarchy, and then to deeply know the complex situation of the society after Xinhai Revolution and its effect on people.This text consists of three chapters as following:First chapter is about the political situation at that time and its effect on the society.This chapter is made up of two parts. First part is about the political situation before the 2nd Revolution and people's response. After Xinhai Revolution,"Temporary Constitution for Republic of China"was published by revolution wing and constitutionalism wing to restrain Yuan Shikai. However, with the development of political situation, the defection of this constitution adding the faction of different parties resulted in great confusion of all fields in the whole society during the first years of Republic of China. This made negative effect on China's diplomacy and position in the world, and as a result, people lost their confidence on Democracy and Republic even they hoped to return to monarchy.The second part is mainly about the eruption of Second Revolution and its failure reason. During the first years of Republic of China, the society was in confusion and people resented this situation. Under this condition, Yuan Shikai launched his long-planning war to weaken the local forces all over the country, named"War of Xue Fan"and spent only 2 months defeating the southern Kuomintang. Main reason for Kuomintang's failure was the unequal strength between two sides, however, we can make a conclusion from this that each social rank were dissatisfied with the politics at that time. This text lists Kuomintang inside, main party and each rank like peasants and city petty bourgeois who were dissatisfied with the Kuomintang. Their opposition was the important reason for Second Revolution.Second chapter is about preparation of Hongxian Monarchy and its background and processThis chapter consists of 2 parts. First part is about the measures used by Yuanshikai to strengthen his centralization. These measures include 2 sides: first side is to strengthen centralization inside of central regime, mainly about the process that Yuan Shikai repealed"Temporary Constitution"and made"Constitution of Republic of China"and"Modify Election Law for President"; second side is to weaken the regional force for strengthening his centralization: politically, he appointed Beiyang generals to replace the generals from progressive party, and meanwhile canceled local council and parliament. Financially, he carried out the financial reform to increase central income and decrease outgo.Second part is about brewage and appearance of monarchy including three sections: first section is about the rising of Confucius. After Xinhai Revolution, Confucianism and feudal thoughts which were to uphold feudal rule had been overthrown, the new authority of bourgeois centering on democracy and legal system hadn't been established yet and the whole society had been under the situation of confusion and unrest. In this instance, some feudalists and constitutionalists raised the banner of Confucianism and hoped that using this thought to rebuild people's faith in order to change the confused situation of the whole society. This movement seems retrogressive and reaction, however, under the condition of that time, it is also a strategy of the people who were concerning about country. And it also responses the social demand of that time, and therefore its appearance is inevitable.Second section is about the appearance of monarchy thought. Advocating monarchy includes two parties: one is constitutional monarchy mainly including Yang Du and Gu Denuo whose advocacy was to establish constitutional monarchy and had its own activeness and rationality;the other one is feudal restoration including Yuan Keding and Liang Shiyi whose advocacy was to establish the monarchy under the feudal system. The two sides shall be discriminated. However, at that period, they hoped to cooperate with warlord to realize their political ideal and this must be ended with failure.Third part is about the appearance of monarchy and its failure.Third chapter is about the comment of Hongxian Monarchy.This chapter consists of three parts: first part is about the appearance reason of Hongxian Monarchy. This section is discussed through four aspects including society, Yuan Shikai himself, instigation of Yuan Keding, support of imperialism. After second revolution, through modifying constitution, Yuan had become the dictator; the social politics and economy had been recovered and developed for a certain and the government had got the people's and international society confidence. Under this situation, Yuan's emperor desire were stronger and stronger adding instigation of Yuan Keding and imperialism, he carried out and realize the monarchy.Second part is about the character of Hongxian Monarchy. Hongxian Monarchy is the political retrogression from republish to monarchy but not retrogress back to feudal monarchy. It is the dualistic monarchy in the political system of bourgeois.Third section is about the reason of Hongxian Monarchy failure. This section consists of four phases. First from the politics and military, after second revolution, the centralization measures of Yuan Shikai lead to the inner disunion of Beiyang and diversion among military, which directly weaken the strength of Beiyang Force and cause the failure of monarchy. From finance, the cost of monarchy and repression for nation protection army causes financial deficit of Beiyang government and stop-cashing makes government lose morale down to failure. From the view of lower class people, during repression of"Bailang Insurrection"and"Protection Country", people were uprooted by the war and joined the procession of Anti-Yuan. At last, imperialism gave up Yuan Shikai which extremely gave Yuan a deathblow. All of these four reasons cause Yuan Shikai's death with strong doldrums and ailment on June 6th, 1916 and this marked the ending of Hongxian Monarchy.