Second Revolution (China)

Quick Facts: Who was Second Revolution (China)?

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Second Revolution (China)

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A failed 1913 revolt by southern Chinese governors against the Beiyang government.

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Origins & Early Life

The Second Revolution (Chinese: 二次革命; pinyin: Èrcì Gémìng) was a failed 1913 revolt by the governors of several southern Chinese provinces and supporters of Sun Yat-sen's Kuomintang (KMT) against the Beiyang government of the Republic of China, led by Yuan Shikai. It was quickly defeated by Yuan's armies and led to the continued consolidation of Yuan's powers as President of the Republic of China. In the 1912 election, the KMT won a majority of seats to the National Assembly, and its leader Song Jiaoren was to be the premier. Song was assassinated on 22 March 1913, likely on Yuan's orders, after which Sun urged an immediate military expedition. The military campaign was postponed as Yuan began to dismiss republican governors from their offices.

Career & Major Achievements

On 12 July, Li Liejun declared the independence of Jiangxi, and five other provinces and Shanghai followed suit. Huang Xing arrived in Nanjing and organized an anti-Yuan force, but his poorly organized troops were quickly crushed by soldiers of the Beiyang Army. Nanjing was captured on 1 September 1913, and all six provinces soon surrendered. Sun and Huang fled to Japan, and the Second Revolution concluded in failure. The failed revolution is named Guichou because it occurred in 1913, the stem-branch year of guǐ-chǒu (癸丑) in the sexagenary cycle of the traditional Chinese calendar, just as the Xinhai Revolution occurred in 1911, the year of xīn-hài (辛亥).

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Kuomintang leader Song Jiaoren was assassinated in March 1913. Some people believe that Yuan Shikai was responsible, and although it has never been proven, he had already arranged the assassination of several pro-revolutionist generals. Animosity towards Yuan grew. In April he secured a Reorganization Loan of 25 million pounds sterling from Great Britain, France, Russia, Germany and Japan, without consulting the parliament first. The loan was used to finance Yuan's Beiyang Army.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1912: 1912 Milestone — In the 1912 election, the KMT won a majority of seats to the National Assembly, and its leader Song Jiaoren was to be the premier.
2. 1913: 1913 Milestone — The Second Revolution (Chinese: 二次革命; pinyin: Èrcì Gémìng) was a failed 1913 revolt by the governors of several southern Chinese provinces and supporters of Sun Yat-sen's Kuomintang (KMT) against the Beiyang government of the Republic of China, led by Yuan Shikai.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Second Revolution (China)

True or False: “The Second Revolution was named Guichou because it occurred in 1913, which corresponds to the guǐ-chǒu (癸丑) year.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): This naming convention follows the sexagenary cycle, mirroring how the Xinhai Revolution occurred in 1911 (xīn-hài).

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• A. N. Sherwin-White — Historical peer (Born in 1911) (1911): British academic and ancient historian, specializing in Roman law and society.
• Ahmed Urabi — Historical peer (Died in 1911) (1911): Pioneering Egyptian military and political leader who spearheaded the 'Urabi Revolt.

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