Discuss the reasons for the failure of the 1911 Xinhai Revolution.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the reasons why the 1911 Xinhai Revolution failed. Reasons may predate the timeframe but they must be clearly linked to the issue raised in the question. Candidates may discuss the confused nature of the revolt, which consisted of numerous local uprisings. Sun Yixian was out of the country when the revolt erupted, and his Tongmenghui, or United League, only took the lead in three provinces in the early stages. Candidates may discuss the role of the former Qing general Yuan Shikai, who played a central role in reviving the imperial army, and in the political manoeuvres which subverted the revolution. Chronic instability within the country undermined the quest for democratic reform as Sun concluded that he needed Yuan’s military strength to cement the overthrow of the Qing. While a National Assembly was created, after the resignation of Sun Yixian, political power was increasingly monopolized by Yuan (which included a short-lived attempt at becoming emperor). Candidates could validly challenge the premise behind the question by pointing out that, as the Qing were overthrown, the revolution was partly successful. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

A relatively popular question. Candidates were required to offer a considered and balanced review of the reasons why the 1911 Xinhai Revolution failed. There were some excellent responses to this question. The nature of the question meant many candidates wrote outside the time frame of this section and indeed this was valid to an extent. However, many responses contained lengthy sections with historical details from the 1920s. Candidates do need to keep most of their essay within the given time frame.