In China's modern history, with the outbreak of the Xinhai Revolution, the feudal imperial system collapsed and the dawn of the republic appeared, but this transition period was not all smooth sailing. While the concept of democracy and republic is gradually taking root in the hearts of the people, there is still an undercurrent of countercurrent, trying to turn the wheel of history back and regain the glory of the former imperial power. This article focuses on two historical figures, Yuan Shikai and Zhang Xun, through their brief and failed attempts at restoration, analyzes the reasons for them, and reveals the inevitable trend of historical progress and the profound connotation of personal tragedy.
Yuan Shikai: Emperor Hongxian whose republican dream was shattered
Yuan Shikai, as a key political figure in the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China, was once known as the "Father of the Republic of China" for promoting the abdication of the Qing Emperor and ending the feudal imperial system for more than 2,000 years. However, the temptation of power and the expansion of personal ambition set him on a path that turned away from the republic. At the end of 1915, Yuan Shikai announced the implementation of the imperial system, changed the name of the country to the "Chinese Empire", the year name Hongxian, and proclaimed himself emperor, a move that completely subverted his previous image in the eyes of the people and triggered a nationwide backlash.
There are three reasons why Yuan Shikai's dream of imperial system was quickly shattered: First, the widespread dissemination of republican ideas has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, and the yearning and pursuit of democracy and freedom by the broad masses of the people and progressive intellectuals have made the restoration of the imperial system an act that goes against the trend of the times and is unpopular. Second, the international community reacted coldly and even opposed Yuan Shikai's claim to be emperor, and lost external support and recognition. Moreover, Yuan's own power base was not solid, with internal factional strife, local warlords, economic weakness, and social unrest making his ruling foundations shaky. In the end, under the difficulties of internal and external affairs, Yuan Shikai had to announce the abolition of the imperial system only 83 days after ascending the throne, and soon died under the double blow of public opinion condemnation and physical illness, becoming a tragic figure in modern Chinese history.
Zhang Xun: The short-lived farce of the restoration of the pigtailed handsome
If Yuan Shikai's imperial attempt still has some strength background, then Zhang Xun's restoration is more like an absurd farce. Zhang Xun, known as the "braid handsome", was one of the warlords of the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China, known for his allegiance to the Qing court and the retention of his braids. In 1917, taking advantage of the internal contradictions of the Beijing government, Zhang Xun led 5,000 pigtailed troops into Beijing to support Pu Yi to regain the throne, intending to restore the rule of the Qing Dynasty, known as the "Zhang Xun Restoration".
The failure of Zhang Xun's restoration was almost predictable. First of all, his actions went against the general trend of national development, the republic has become an irreversible historical trend, and the people are generally disgusted with the restoration of imperial power. Second, Zhang Xun's actions lacked a broad social base and political support, and it was difficult to form an effective political force by relying only on his own selfish desires and a small number of conservative forces. In the end, the rapid response of Duan Qirui and other Beiyang warlords organized the "rebel army" to attack Beijing, so that this farce of restoration ended in just 12 days.
Deep Causes and Historical Logic
Although Yuan Shikai and Zhang Xun's attempts at restoration may seem the product of personal ambition on the surface, they reflect the complex contradictions and conflicts of modern Chinese society during the transformation. On the one hand, the remnants of feudalism and conservative ideas still have a certain market at the time of the transition between the old and the new, and they are trying to restore the old system with the help of the chaotic situation; on the other hand, the idea of a democratic republic has taken root in the hearts of the people, and the desire of the new bourgeoisie, intellectuals, and the broad masses of the people for modernization has formed a strong social foundation for opposing restoration. The collision of the two is not only the embodiment of the power struggle, but also an irreconcilable contradiction between historical progress and backwardness.
To sum up, the failure of Yuan Shikai and Zhang Xun is not only a tragic song of personal fate, but also a manifestation of historical inevitability. They prove that in the tide of the times, any attempt to block the wheel of history will eventually be crushed and become a wake-up call for future generations. These attempts at restoration in China's modern history are not only an indispensable part of China's modernization process, but also profoundly reveal the importance of conforming to the trend of the times and respecting the will of the people.