Taiwan Today

China was on its way to becoming Asia's first republic in 1911, but the path from dynasty to democracy was not easy. The revolution began in Wuchang on October 10, 1911, but the Republic was not proclaimed until January 1, 1912. Not until then was the dragon standard of the Manchu emperors exchanged for the white, blue, and crimson flag of the Republic of China. During the early days, patriots chose to consider the crimson a symbol of the blood shed by revolutionary martyrs and the sun emblem an omen of a bright future for China. A more formal interpretation is that the colors represent the Three Principles of the People: blue for democracy, white for social well-being, crimson for nationalism.

 

The father of the Republic is Dr. Sun Yat-sen. Born in 1866 in Kwangtung province and educated as a doctor, he devoted most of his life to the revolutionary cause. Even as a student, Dr. Sun (top, second from left) was known to the Manchus as one of four "arch rebels". By 1895, when the first attempt was made to seize Canton, Dr. Sun had cut off his queue (bottom) as a symbol of his resistance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Among the many trials suffered by Dr. Sun was his kidnaping by Manchu officials. Jailed in the Chinese legation in London (top), he was saved only by getting a message (center) to sympathizers outside. Though many joined the cause, Dr. Sun was to remain the guiding light until 1925 (portrait bottom) when he died in Peiping.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many supporters of the revolution were young people. Lu Hao-tung, 26, (top) became the first martyr when he was executed in Canton. He is also remembered for suggesting the design of the first revolutionary flag, which was later sketched by Dr. Sun (center). Chiu Ching was the first woman revolutionary martyr (bottom).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many revolutionaries returned from studies abroad to take part in uprisings. Among them were the 72 martyrs who are buried at Huang Hua Kang in Canton (top). Youth Day on March 29 is a reminder of their supreme sacrifice. Lin Chueh-min (center) was one of the young patriots. In his last letter to his father (bottom), he said:

"My countrymen will benefit from my death."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The turning point in the revolution came the night of October 10, 1911, in Wuchang (top). By dawn, the Manchu viceroy and garrison commander had escaped and the rev­olutionary flag flew over Wuchang and its sister cities of Hankow and Hanyang. Fighting still continued in the outskirts (bottom).

 

 

 

 

By the time the revolutionary forces were in complete control of the three cities (top), the Manchus knew they were doomed. Im­perial officers plotted strategy (center), while Manchu officials fled (bottom).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As the Manchus were being ousted, there appeared another young man with leadership qualities. Chiang Kai-shek later was chosen by Dr. Sun to head a military academy to train the nucleus of the Re­public's modern army. One meeting between Dr. Sun and his protegee took place on a train in Canton (top). By 1926, Chiang was commander-in-chief of the Northward Expedition which wiped out warlords and brought all provinces into the Republic of China.