Show Notes
Yuan Shikai consolidates power as President of the Republic of China. His greatest threats now come from outside China. Russia eyes Mongolia and Britain takes interest in Tibet. The First World War changes the dynamic and Japan seizes Germany's concessions in Shandong. Then Japan issues Twenty-One Demands on China. Yuan negotiates and softens the blow, but suffers from the humiliation.
Yuan Shikai's son and others push for a new monarchy and Yuan goes along. The Grand Constitutional Monarchy is founded, but only lasts for 83 days. Rebellions and opposition start almost immediately and provinces break away. Beiyang Army Generals oppose Yuan and some accept help from Japan. The civil war is only ended when Yuan Shikai dies of natural causes and both sides agree to Li Yuanhong succeeding him as President of the Republic of China.
China has fractured. Can it heal?
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