Sun+Yat-Sen

By: Amy Wu, 2012

Overview
Sun Yat-Sen (12 November 1866 – 12 March 1925) was a Chinese revolutionist, the first provisional president and founding father of the Republic of China (also known as Taiwan, or "Nationalist China"). Sun played a huge role in overthrowing the Qing dynasty during the Xinhai Revolution. He is referred to the "Father of the Nation" among the people of the ROC (Republic of China), founded in 1912. He later co-founded the Kuomingtang (KMT), the Chinese Nationalist Party.

Although having accomplished so much, Sun hit many obstacles in politics, facing frequent exile. After his successful revolution, he fell out of power in the newly founded ROC. As a result, he led revolutionary governments to challenge those who controlled much of the nation. His party, which formed a fragile alliance with the Communists, broke up into two after his death. The political philosophy known as the Three Principles of the People: nationalism, democracy and the people's livelihood, will always remain as one of the legacies Sun left behind.

Early Life
Sun was born on November 12, 1866 in Xiangshan, Guangdong, in China. He was the third son of the family, born to a farmer. There he grew up and learned to farm, beginning at the age of 6. Starting at age 10, Sun was put in school and receieved some education from local schooling. 3 years later, he moved to Honolulu, Hawaii to live with his brother and further pursue schooling. He studied at the 'Iolani School. There, he learned English, British history, science, mathematics and Christianity. His fast improvment in English earned him an award for outstanding achievement. In addition, Sun studied at Oahu College for one semester. His brother was afraid of his interest and the possibility of his conversion into Christianity and decided to send him home in 1883.

Upon returning to his home country, 17-year-old Sun and his friend created a rucus and decided to escape to Hong Kong. He enrolled at the Diocesan Boy's School the same year. From 1884 to 1886, he was at the government Central school. Later on, he studied medicine at the Guangzhou Boji Hospital. Christian missionary John G. Kerr was his mentor and guide. At the end of his education, he attained a license for Christian practice as a medical doctor, graduating from the Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese in 1892. It's worth mentioning that out of the 12 students in the class, he was one of only two who managed to graduate. With his degree, Sun worked in Macao, Guangzhou and Honolulu. He eventually developed interest in politics, which compelled him to establish the Revive China Society, a group that was committed to revolutionizing China's prosperity.

The Revolution of 1911
After a series of generally unsuccessful uprisings, starting in 1895, results started to surface.

Sun needed __#|more money__ for the uprisings. At the November 13, 1910 Penang conference, in Malaya, he made a plea for financial backing. The leaders collected donations across the Malay Peninsula and managed to raise HK$187,000.

Huang Xing, another Chinese revolutionary leader, led another uprising in Guangzhou on April 27, 1911. This revolution was known as the Yellow Flower Mound revolt, aimed at dethroning the Qing. The revolt was unsuccessful; it ended in disaster. The bodies of 72 revolutionaries were found and were remembered as martyrs.

Not giving up, Huang Xing led another military uprising on October 10, 1911, in Wuchang. This time he was successful. Sun had no direct involvement at the time whatsoever as he was still in exile, but when he heard of Huang’s success, he promptly returned to China on December 21, 1911. The uprising spiraled into the Xinhai Revolution, also known as the Chinese Revolution. Huang was in charge of this significant revolution that ended more than 2000 years of imperial rule in China. The last Emperor, Puyi, was overthrown on February 12, 1912. This marked the beginning of China’s republican era.

media type="youtube" key="SupyW6UKMOE" height="360" width="480"<<<<< Video on China's Cultural Revolution.

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