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Biography of Yüan Shih-k'ai
Name: Yüan Shih-k'ai
Birth Date: 1859
Death Date: June 16, 1916
Place of Birth: Henan Province, China
Nationality: Chinese
Gender: Male
Occupations: military leader
Yüan Shih-k'ai
Yüan Shih-k'ai (1859-1916), an outstanding Chinese military leader, held the balance of power when the Revolution of 1911 broke out and used it to secure the presidency. He became increasingly dictatorial but failed to establish himself as emperor of a new dynasty.Yüan Shih-k'ai came from a family of Honan officials who had gained prominence in fighting the Nien rebels during the 1850s and 1860s. Though educated in the classics, he preferred the strenuous life. Having failed twice to obtain the chü-jen degree (the second level of the traditional examination system), he purchased a title and used family connections to acquire a post with a maritime defense unit in Shantung Province.Sino-Japanese WarYüan's opportunity to prove his abilities came as a result of the Sino-Japanese rivalry in Korea. In 1882, when an uprising provided Japan with an opportunity to consolidate its position, Yüan …showed first 150 words…
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…showed last 150 words…massive protest that accompanied this move. Even Yüan's staunchest supporters found it difficult to accept his imperial pretensions. Following a series of revolts in southwestern China, Yüan set aside the throne. His reign had lasted 83 days.The reestablishment of the republic failed to restore Yüan's power. His lieutenants, who had become independent regional satraps, refused to rally behind their discredited leader. When Yüan succumbed to uremia on June 6, 1916, many said he had "died of a broken heart." In a sense, this may indeed have been true. Associated Events Revolution of 1911 (China), Sino-Japanese War, 1894-1895 Further Reading The principal Western-language work on Yüan is Jerome Ch'en, Yüan Shih-k'ai, 1859-1916 (1961). Another major source is Ralph L. Powell, The Rise of Chinese Military Power, 1895-1912 (1955). Useful background material is in Li Chien-nung, The Political History of China, 1840-1928 (1956), and O. Edmund Clubb, 20th Century China (1964).
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