Sun Yat-sen stepped down as provisional president of the Republic of China primarily due to the inherent weakness of his revolutionary regime and a strategic agreement made with Yuan Shikai.
The Weakness of the Provisional Government
Upon the establishment of the Republic of China in 1912, Sun Yat-sen found his newly formed government in a precarious position. Despite the success of the Xinhai Revolution in overthrowing the Qing dynasty, the provisional regime lacked the military strength, widespread administrative control, and financial resources necessary to effectively govern the vast and tumultuous nation. This inherent fragility meant that his authority was limited, making it difficult to consolidate power and address the numerous challenges facing China.
The Strategic Deal with Yuan Shikai
Recognizing the vulnerable state of his regime, Sun Yat-sen entered into negotiations with Yuan Shikai (Yüan Shih-k'ai). Yuan was a powerful imperial minister who had been entrusted with full power by the Qing court to suppress the revolution. He commanded significant military forces and held substantial political influence, making him a formidable figure with whom a compromise was deemed necessary for the stability of the nascent republic.
The terms of their agreement were pivotal:
- February 12, 1912: The last Qing emperor, Puyi, officially abdicated, marking the end of imperial rule in China.
- February 13, 1912: The day following the emperor's abdication, Sun Yat-sen formally resigned from his position as provisional president.
- February 14, 1912: Yuan Shikai was subsequently elected as Sun's successor, becoming the second provisional president of the Republic of China.
This strategic concession by Sun Yat-sen was a pragmatic decision aimed at ensuring a peaceful transition from imperial rule to a republic and avoiding further civil strife, even if it meant sacrificing his own leadership in the short term for the sake of national unity and stability.
