This week (March 9-13) our class is exploring the causes behind the collapse and end of the Qing Dynasty. Our focus is also on the failed development of a constitutional republic by the leaders of the Xinhai Revolution (1911) that overthrew the Qing and how the Yuan Shikai’s short reign gave way to a period of fragmentation, division, and warlordism. After reading the assigned chapters from Spence and taking lecture notes, please answer the following two questions in this discussion post with a brief short-answer (one to two paragraphs). After you post your response to the question above, please respond to the postings by at least two others in the class.
What was the cause of death for the Qing Dynasty?
Why did the transition from monarchical rule to a constitutional republic falter into division and warlordism?