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The term '''Republic of China''' refers to an era of Chinese history that extended from 1912 until 1949. It was preceded by the [[Qing Dynasty|Qing dynasty]] and followed by the [[People's Republic of China|People's Republic]].

The term '''Republic of China''' refers to an era of Chinese history that extended from 1912 until 1949. It was preceded by the [[Qing Dynasty|Qing dynasty]] and followed by the [[People's Republic of China|People's Republic]].

Chinese soldiers in Wuhan mutinied against the Qing in October 1911. In a panic, the regent recalled [[Yuan Shikai]], who was supported by the army leaders. Yuan and the revolutionary leaders, including [[Sun Yat-sen]], agreed to end the dynasty and establish a republic.

Chinese soldiers in Wuhan mutinied in October 1911. In a panic, the regent recalled [[Yuan Shikai]], who was supported by the army leaders. On January 1, 1912, a republic was proclaimed in Nanjing with [[Sun Yat-sen]] as president. Sun negotiated with Yuan, who was still premier in Beijing. In March, Yuan and Sun agreed to end the dynasty. Sun resigned as president in favor of Yuan.

Sun served briefly as the republic's first president before resigning in favor of Yuan. His faction merged with several other groups to form the Nationalist Party, or KMT. This party gained a majority in the 1913 parliamentary elections. Backed by the army, Yuan assassinated parliamentary leader Song Jiaoren, dissolved the Nationalist Party, and ruled as a dictator. Japan's Twenty-One demands aroused much public opposition. After negotiation, Yuan accepted 13 of these demands. Yuan proclaimed himself emperor in 1915, but later renounced his imperial pretensions in the face of nearly unanimous opposition.

Sun's faction merged with several other groups to form the Nationalist Party, or KMT. Nationalist ideology is based on Sun's "Three principle of the people" (nationalism, democracy, and the livelihood of the people). The party gained a majority in the 1913 parliamentary elections. Backed by the army, Yuan assassinated parliamentary leader Song Jiaoren, dissolved the Nationalist Party, and ruled as a dictator. In 1915, Japan's Twenty-One demands aroused much public opposition. Yuan eventually accepted thirteen of these demands. Yuan proclaimed himself emperor in 1915. Yuan had reorganized the Chinese army for the Qing Empire. Many of the army leaders felt they owed their positions to him. As good Confucian students, they were loyal to Yuan. But few looked forward to serving his playboy son, who was heir apparent in Yuan's empire. Face with nearly unanimous opposition, Yuan renounced his imperial pretensions after a few months.  

After Yuan died in 1916, central government weakened. By 1919, the army leadership had devolved into three rival factions: Anhui, Zhili, and Fengtian. The Japanese backed the reactionary warlord Zhang Zuolin in Manchuria, leader of the Fengtian clique. He gained control of Beijing and the national government in 1926. The economy of the Manchuria, overtaxed to support Zhang’s adventurism, collapsed in 1927–28. The Russians under Stalin backed the Nationalist Party, which was allied with the Communists. The Nationalists established a rival national government in Guangzhou in 1925.

After Yuan died in 1916, central government weakened. By 1919, the army leadership had devolved into three rival factions: Anhui, Zhili, and Fengtian. The Japanese backed the reactionary warlord Zhang Zuolin in Manchuria, leader of the Fengtian clique. He gained control of Beijing, the seat of China's international recognized government, in 1926. The economy of the Manchuria, overtaxed to support Zhang’s adventurism, collapsed in 1927–28. The Russians under Stalin backed the Nationalist Party, which was allied with the Communists. The Nationalists established a rival "national government" in Guangzhou in 1925.

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Under the Nationalists, China experienced industrialization and modernization, but there was also conflict between the government in Nanjing, the Communist Party, remnant warlords, and Japan. Nation-building took a backseat to war with Japan in 1937–1945. Japan occupied coastal areas and cut off China's access to seaports, while the Nationalists retreated to Chongqing. The Chinese cause received much sympathetic attention in the U.S. press, and the [[Flying Tigers]], an aviation squadron, was lionized. The Burma Road, and later the Ledo Road, were built to allow US "lend-lease" aid to reach the Chinese army. The Nationalists' Y Force drove back the Japanese in Yunnan during a May–June 1944 offensive, but otherwise military results were disappointing.

Under the Nationalists, China experienced industrialization and modernization, but there was also conflict between the government in Nanjing, the Communist Party, remnant warlords, and Japan. Nation-building took a backseat to war with Japan in 1937–1945. Japan occupied coastal areas and cut off China's access to seaports, while the Nationalists retreated to Chongqing. The Chinese cause received much sympathetic attention in the U.S. press, and the [[Flying Tigers]], an aviation squadron, was lionized. The Burma Road, and later the Ledo Road, were built to allow US "lend-lease" aid to reach the Chinese army. The Nationalists' Y Force drove back the Japanese in Yunnan during a May–June 1944 offensive, but otherwise military results were disappointing.

After Japan surrendered, the Cold War between the U.S. and Soviet Union led to renewed fighting between the Nationalists and the Communists. In 1947, the Constitution of the Republic of China replaced the Organic Law of 1928 as the country's fundamental law.

After Japan surrendered, the Cold War between the U.S. and Soviet Union led to renewed fighting between the Nationalists and the Communists. In 1947, the Constitution of the Republic of China replaced the Organic Law of 1928 as the country's fundamental law. In 1948, "Temporary Provisions" were added to the constitution to allow for emergency rule during the period of "communist rebellion."

In 1949, the Communists established the People's Republic of China on the mainland, while the Nationalists retreated to [[Taiwan]]. Despite its vastly reduced territory, Chiang's regime continued to receive diplomatic recognition from the United Nations and from most non-Communist states. The U.N. Security Council has five permanent seats, one of which is assigned to the Republic of China. In 1971, Taipei was expelled from the U.N. and the ROC seat was reassigned to Beijing. Taipei continues to adhere to the 1947 ROC constitution,<ref>"[http://english.president.gov.tw/Default.aspx?tabid=434 Constitution of the Republic of China (Taiwan)]", Office of the President, Republic of China (Taiwan)</ref> although the claim to territory on the mainland was withdrawn in 1991.<ref>"The authorities on Taiwan in 1991 abandoned their claim of governing mainland China, stating that they do not "dispute the fact that the P.R.C. controls mainland China." ("[http://www.state.gov/outofdate/bgn/taiwan/15536.htm Taiwan (10/00): Profile], U.S. Department of State.)</ref>

In 1949, the Communists established the People's Republic on the mainland, while the Nationalists retreated to [[Taiwan]]. Despite its vastly reduced territory, Chiang's regime continued to receive diplomatic recognition from the United Nations and from most non-Communist states. The U.N. Security Council has five permanent seats, one of which is assigned to the Republic of China. In 1971, Taipei was expelled from the U.N. and the ROC seat was reassigned to Beijing.

 

In 1991, the Temporary Provisions were terminated, the claim to territory on the mainland was withdrawn,<ref>"The authorities on Taiwan in 1991 abandoned their claim of governing mainland China, stating that they do not "dispute the fact that the P.R.C. controls mainland China." ("[http://www.state.gov/outofdate/bgn/taiwan/15536.htm Taiwan (10/00): Profile], U.S. Department of State.)</ref> and legislators selected in the 1940s to represent mainland districts retired.

   

   

==References==

==References==