Yuan Shi Kai dissolved the elected National Assembly in 1914 and ruled as a dictator, becoming increasingly unpopular. After his death in 1916, China fell into a period of warlordism as regional military leaders fought for control. During this era from 1916-1927, the central government collapsed and the country saw brutal warfare, rampant taxation, and economic problems. Law and order broke down as the warlords prioritized gaining territory over people's welfare.

1. Warlord China, 1912-27
Learning Objectives:
• Describe how China was ruled
after the 1911 Revolution.
• Examine the effects of Yuan’s
rule on China
• Describe the key features of
China under the Warlords
Key Words, People & Places:
National Assembly
Guomindang
Twenty-One Demands
Warlords

2. Outline the main economic, social, and political
problems in China at the turn of the century?
Starter: China 1900

3. Constitutional Republic was set up in 1912.
What should this have looked like?
• Democracy – President would share
tasks with an elected parliament.
• Elections of the parliament was known
as the National Assembly. First took
place in 1913.
Who won the majority of the seats in this
first election?
Presidency of
Yuan Shi Kai
LO:Describe
how China was
ruled after the
1911 Revolution.

4. This was Sun Yat Sun’s new People’s National Party.
Guomindang
LO:Describe
how China was
ruled after the
1911 Revolution.

5. How did Yuan Shi Kai feel about the outcome of the 1913
elections?
• He felt the National Assembly dominated by the GMD
was slow, inefficient and corrupt.
What did Yuan Shi Kai do in January 1914?
• Dissolved the National Assembly – made himself
President for the next ten years.
• Had support from European Powers – Why?
• Need to protect trading interests
• End 1914 Yuan ruled as a dictator in 12 of the 18
provinces.
Who ensured that they provinces remained loyal to Yuan
and why?
Guomindang (GMD)
LO:Describe
how China was
ruled after the
1911 Revolution.

6. 1915 – Yuan attempted to become the next emperor
of China. His dynasty would be called ‘The Grand
Constitutional Era’ - What is ironic about the above
statement?
Three groups opposed Yuan becoming emperor.
Who were they and why did they oppose the idea?
• Guomindang – Democratic Government
• Generals /Military Commanders – Lose power
• Japanese – wanted to control large areas of
China.
A New Emperor!
LO:Describe
how China was
ruled after the
1911 Revolution.

7. What were the twenty One
demands?
Japan wanted control of many
of China’s factories, railways
and ports. If China did not
agree Japan would invade.
How did the Chinese People
view Yuan’s response?
Christmas Day 1915 – Army in
Yunnan rebelled – other
provinces soon followed.
Dropped plans to become
emperor and died soon after in
1916.
Twenty One Demands
LO: Examine
the effects of
Yuan’s rule on
China

8. With Yuan Shi Kai
now gone China
fell apart as no
one leader
strong enough
to rule. Central
Government
collapsed and
from 1916 to
1927 the
Warlords fought
each other for
control. Brutality
during this
period extensive
The Time of the
Warlords
LO:Describe the
key features of
China under the
Warlords

9. The Time of the
Warlords
LO:Describe the
key features of
China under the
Warlords
They fought for control of Beijing, to be recognised as the official
government of China . The effects were disastrous, particularly on the
peasants who were raped and pillaged and forced to pay taxes up to 30
years in advance, for their “protection and safety”.
Li Yuanbong Zhang Zuolin Yan Xishan Feng Yuxiang

10. Read the article on ISLE and complete the true
and false questions below.
Now use the information that you have read to
describe the key features of China under the
Warlords.
• Economy
• Political
• Industrial
• Law and Order
The Time of the
Warlords
LO:Describe the
key features of
China under the
Warlords

11. You are going to prepare a presentation in
groups that will be delivered next lesson to the
class.
The topics are as follows:
• The New Tide & the May 4th Movement
• The Guomindang
• The Chinese Communist Party & The First United
Front, 1922-27
• The First Northern Expedition, 1926-7 & the
Shanghai Massacre 1927
Homework

12. • Why did many Chinese believe the 1911
Revolution had been betrayed?
• What was the May 4th Movement of 1919 and
why did it happen?
• What was the ultimate aim of the movement?
• What changes did its supporters advocate as a
way to achieve this goal? Why might this be
ironic?
The New Tide

13. • What had happened to Sun and the GMD
since his resignation as president in 1912?
• What was their main aim?
• What did Sun and the GMD have in common
with the CCP in the early 1920s?
• Explain how the GMD changed between 1917
to 1925 with regards to the following:
– The Three Principles
– Relations with the Soviet Union
– Organisation
– Relations with the CCP
The Guomindang

14. • Who founded the party, when and where?
• Why do you think Marixsm was attractive to the
Chinese revolutionaries?
• What was this and where was it based?
• What was its purpose and why was it attractive to the
GMD and the CCP?
• Define the roles of the following:
– Sun Yat Sen
– Chiang Kai Shek
– Mao Zedong
– Chou En Lai
– Abram Joffe
– Michael Borodin
– General Galen
The Chinese Communist Party and
the First United Front, 1922-27

15. • Why did Chiang replace Sun as Leader of the
GMD in 1925?
• What was the result of the first Northern
Expedition, 1926-27?
• Why was is successful?
• What happened in Shanghai in 1927?
• Where else was it repeated?
• Why?
The First Northern Expedition & the
Shanghai Massacre