To secure his own power he collaborated with various European powers as well as Japan. Around August 1915, he instructed Yang Du (楊度) et al. to canvass support for a return of the monarchy. On 11 December 1915, an assembly unanimously elected him as Emperor. Yuan ceremonially declined, but "relented" and immediately agreed when the National Assembly petitioned again that day.[2]
On 12 December, Yuan, supported by his son Yuan Keding, declared the Empire of China with himself as the "Great Emperor of the Chinese Empire" (simplified Chinese: 中华帝国大皇帝; traditional Chinese: 中華帝國大皇帝; pinyin: Zhōnghuá Dìguó Dà Huángdì), taking the era name Hongxian (simplified Chinese: 洪宪; traditional Chinese: 洪憲; pinyin: Hóngxiàn, "Promote the Constitution"). However, Yuan, now known as the Hongxian Emperor, delayed the accession rites until 1 January 1916. He had Manchu clothes removed from culture and had Han clothes revived but had put some changes to it. He wore new Han clothes to attend a dress rehearsal, but it was sabotaged by his Korean concubine.[citation needed]
Soon after, the Hongxian Emperor started handing out titles of peerage to his closest relatives and friends, as well as those whom he thought he could buy with titles.[citation needed]
The Aisin Gioro family of the Qing dynasty, then living in the Forbidden City, "approved" of Yuan's accession as emperor, and even proposed a "royal marriage" of Yuan's daughter to Puyi, the last Qing monarch.[citation needed]
Backlash
Yuan Shikai as the Hongxian Emperor of his new Imperial China
The year 1916 was to be "Hongxian Year 1" (洪憲元年) rather than "Republic Year 5" (民國五年),[2] but the Hongxian Emperor was opposed by not only the revolutionaries, but far more importantly by his subordinate military commanders, who believed that Yuan's assumption of the monarchy would allow him to rule without depending on the support of the military.
Province after province rebelled after his inauguration, starting with Yunnan, led by the emperor's governor Cai E and general Tang Jiyao and Jiangxi, led by governor Li Liejun. The revolters formed the National Protection Army (護國軍) and thus began the National Protection War. This was followed by other provinces declaring independence from the Empire. The emperor's Beiyang generals, whose soldiers had not received pay once from the imperial government, did not put up an aggressive campaign against the National Protection Army and the Beiyang Army suffered numerous defeats despite being better trained and equipped than the National Protection Army.
Seeing the Hongxian Emperor's weakness and unpopularity, foreign powers withdrew their support (but did not choose sides in the war). The Empire of Japan first threatened to invade, then committed to overthrowing the Hongxian Emperor and recognised both sides of the conflict to be "in a state of war" and allowed Japanese citizens to help the Republicans.[2] Faced with universal opposition, the emperor repeatedly delayed the accession rites to appease his foes. Funding for the ceremony was cut on 1 March. Yuan deliberated abandoning the monarchy with Liang Shiyi on 17 March and abandoned it on 22 March. The "Hongxian" year was abolished on 23 March and the Republic was restored.[3] Yuan reigned a total of 83 days.[2]
Empire of China ten-cash coin dated "Hongxian Year 1"
After President Yuan's death on 6 June, Vice President Li Yuanhong assumed the presidency, and appointed Beiyang general Duan Qirui as his Premier and restored the National Assembly and the provisional Constitution. However, the central authority of the Beijing government was significantly weakened and the demise of Yuan's Empire plunged China into a period of warlordism.
National symbols
Although the name of the country in Chinese was changed to the "Empire of China" (and "Hongxian" for state matters), the Hongxian Emperor continued to use "Republic of China" as the English name.[2]
The Hongxian Emperor set up the Ritual Regulations Office (禮制館), which issued the new official anthem for the Republic of China, "China heroically stands in the Universe" (中華雄立宇宙間) in June 1915. Its lyrics were written by Yin Chang (廕昌) and music by Wang Lu (王露). The lyrics were slightly modified in December 1915, with "Five Races Under One Union" (共和五族) replaced with 勳華揖讓 (Shanrang, the ancient system of Chinese emperor relinquishing seats to others in Yao and Shun's era) to be used during the Hongxian Emperor's reign.
Chinese lyrics
English translation
中華雄立宇宙間， 廓八埏， 華冑來從崑崙巔， 江河浩盪山綿連， 勳華揖讓開堯天， 億萬年。
China heroically stands in the Universe, Extends to the Eight Corners, The glorious descendants from Kunlun Peak. The rivers turn greatly, the mountains continuous. Shanrang open up the era of Yao, For millions of myriads of years.
Yao was a legendary Chinese ruler. The era of Yao and Shun (堯天舜日) is a Four-character idiom which means times of peace and prosperity.
The national flag was changed from the original five-stripe flag to one where the red stripe is a centered cross; however, a flag with the former red stripe as a saltire was the version commonly used.[4]
^Parker, Edward Harper (22 May 2018). "China, her history, diplomacy, and commerce, from the earliest times to the present day". N.Y. : Dutton – via Internet Archive.
External links
Media related to Empire of China (1915–16) at Wikimedia Commons
empire, china, 1915, 1916, confused, with, chinese, empire, empire, china, short, lived, attempt, statesman, general, president, yuan, shikai, from, late, 1915, early, 1916, reinstate, monarchy, china, with, himself, hongxian, emperor, attempt, unsuccessful, b. Not to be confused with Chinese Empire The Empire of China was a short lived attempt by statesman general and president Yuan Shikai from late 1915 to early 1916 to reinstate monarchy in China with himself as the Hongxian Emperor The attempt was unsuccessful it set back the Chinese republican cause by many years and fractured China into a period of conflict between various local warlords Empire of China中華帝國1915 1916Flag National EmblemAnthem 中華雄立宇宙間 China Heroically Stands in the Universe source source source track track track track CapitalPeking39 54 N 116 23 E 39 900 N 116 383 E 39 900 116 383 Coordinates 39 54 N 116 23 E 39 900 N 116 383 E 39 900 116 383Largest cityShanghaiOfficial languagesStandard ChineseReligionHeaven worshipGovernmentConstitutional monarchy de jure Authoritarian military dictatorship under an absolute monarchy de facto Emperor 1915 1916Hongxian EmperorPrime Minister 1915 1916Lu ZhengxiangLegislatureNational AssemblyHistorical eraWorld War I Establishment of the Empire12 December 1915 National Protection War25 December 1915 Abolition of the Empire and abdication of Hongxian Emperor22 March 1916 Death of Hongxian Emperor6 June 1916CurrencySilver yuanPreceded by Succeeded byRepublic of China Republic of ChinaEmpire of ChinaTraditional Chinese中華帝國Simplified Chinese中华帝国TranscriptionsStandard MandarinHanyu PinyinZhōnghua DiguoWade GilesChunghua Tikuo Contents 1 Preparations for formation 2 Backlash 3 National symbols 4 List of people given peerages by the Hongxian Emperor 4 1 Crown Prince 皇太子 4 2 Prince of the First Rank Wuyi 武義親王 4 3 Dukes of the First Rank 一等公 4 4 Marquesses of the First Rank 一等侯 4 5 Counts of the First Rank 一等伯 4 6 Viscounts of the First Rank 一等子 4 7 Barons of the First Rank 一等男 4 8 Baron of the Third Rank 三等男 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksPreparations for formation Edit The Hongxian Emperor at his coronation ceremony After Yuan Shikai was installed as the second Provisional Great President of the Republic of China established by Sun Yat sen he took various steps to consolidate his power and remove opposition leaders from office citation needed Both Sun and Yuan were modernizers Sun was a radical revolutionary while Yuan was a conservative reformer 1 To secure his own power he collaborated with various European powers as well as Japan Around August 1915 he instructed Yang Du 楊度 et al to canvass support for a return of the monarchy On 11 December 1915 an assembly unanimously elected him as Emperor Yuan ceremonially declined but relented and immediately agreed when the National Assembly petitioned again that day 2 On 12 December Yuan supported by his son Yuan Keding declared the Empire of China with himself as the Great Emperor of the Chinese Empire simplified Chinese 中华帝国大皇帝 traditional Chinese 中華帝國大皇帝 pinyin Zhōnghua Diguo Da Huangdi taking the era name Hongxian simplified Chinese 洪宪 traditional Chinese 洪憲 pinyin Hongxian Promote the Constitution However Yuan now known as the Hongxian Emperor delayed the accession rites until 1 January 1916 He had Manchu clothes removed from culture and had Han clothes revived but had put some changes to it He wore new Han clothes to attend a dress rehearsal but it was sabotaged by his Korean concubine citation needed Soon after the Hongxian Emperor started handing out titles of peerage to his closest relatives and friends as well as those whom he thought he could buy with titles citation needed The Aisin Gioro family of the Qing dynasty then living in the Forbidden City approved of Yuan s accession as emperor and even proposed a royal marriage of Yuan s daughter to Puyi the last Qing monarch citation needed Backlash Edit Yuan Shikai as the Hongxian Emperor of his new Imperial China The year 1916 was to be Hongxian Year 1 洪憲元年 rather than Republic Year 5 民國五年 2 but the Hongxian Emperor was opposed by not only the revolutionaries but far more importantly by his subordinate military commanders who believed that Yuan s assumption of the monarchy would allow him to rule without depending on the support of the military Province after province rebelled after his inauguration starting with Yunnan led by the emperor s governor Cai E and general Tang Jiyao and Jiangxi led by governor Li Liejun The revolters formed the National Protection Army 護國軍 and thus began the National Protection War This was followed by other provinces declaring independence from the Empire The emperor s Beiyang generals whose soldiers had not received pay once from the imperial government did not put up an aggressive campaign against the National Protection Army and the Beiyang Army suffered numerous defeats despite being better trained and equipped than the National Protection Army Seeing the Hongxian Emperor s weakness and unpopularity foreign powers withdrew their support but did not choose sides in the war The Empire of Japan first threatened to invade then committed to overthrowing the Hongxian Emperor and recognised both sides of the conflict to be in a state of war and allowed Japanese citizens to help the Republicans 2 Faced with universal opposition the emperor repeatedly delayed the accession rites to appease his foes Funding for the ceremony was cut on 1 March Yuan deliberated abandoning the monarchy with Liang Shiyi on 17 March and abandoned it on 22 March The Hongxian year was abolished on 23 March and the Republic was restored 3 Yuan reigned a total of 83 days 2 Empire of China ten cash coin dated Hongxian Year 1 After President Yuan s death on 6 June Vice President Li Yuanhong assumed the presidency and appointed Beiyang general Duan Qirui as his Premier and restored the National Assembly and the provisional Constitution However the central authority of the Beijing government was significantly weakened and the demise of Yuan s Empire plunged China into a period of warlordism National symbols EditAlthough the name of the country in Chinese was changed to the Empire of China and Hongxian for state matters the Hongxian Emperor continued to use Republic of China as the English name 2 The Hongxian Emperor set up the Ritual Regulations Office 禮制館 which issued the new official anthem for the Republic of China China heroically stands in the Universe 中華雄立宇宙間 in June 1915 Its lyrics were written by Yin Chang 廕昌 and music by Wang Lu 王露 The lyrics were slightly modified in December 1915 with Five Races Under One Union 共和五族 replaced with 勳華揖讓 Shanrang the ancient system of Chinese emperor relinquishing seats to others in Yao and Shun s era to be used during the Hongxian Emperor s reign Chinese lyrics English translation中華雄立宇宙間 廓八埏 華冑來從崑崙巔 江河浩盪山綿連 勳華揖讓開堯天 億萬年 China heroically stands in the Universe Extends to the Eight Corners The glorious descendants from Kunlun Peak The rivers turn greatly the mountains continuous Shanrang open up the era of Yao For millions of myriads of years Yao was a legendary Chinese ruler The era of Yao and Shun 堯天舜日 is a Four character idiom which means times of peace and prosperity The national flag was changed from the original five stripe flag to one where the red stripe is a centered cross however a flag with the former red stripe as a saltire was the version commonly used 4 The national emblem remained as the national emblem of the Republic of China 1913 1928 National emblem of Twelve Symbols of Sovereignty 十二章國徽 List of people given peerages by the Hongxian Emperor Edit Yuan Shikai first from left offering sacrifices to heaven at a winter solstice ceremony 23 December 1914 Crown Prince 皇太子 Edit Yuntai 云台 Prince of the First Rank Wuyi 武義親王 Edit Duke Yansheng Kong Lingyi 衍聖公 孔令貽 5 Li Yuanhong 黎元洪 Dukes of the First Rank 一等公 Edit Duan Zhigui 段芝貴 Feng Guozhang 馮國璋 Jiang Guiti 姜桂題 Liu Guanxiong 劉冠雄 Long Jiguang 龍濟光 Ni Sichong 倪嗣衝 Zhang Xun 張勳 Marquesses of the First Rank 一等侯 Edit Chen Yi 陳儀 Li Chun 李純 Lu Rongting 陸榮廷 Tang Jiyao 唐繼堯 Tang Xiangming 湯薌銘 Wang Zhanyuan 王占元 Yan Xishan 閻錫山 Zhao Ti 趙倜 Zhu Rui 朱瑞 Counts of the First Rank 一等伯 Edit Cao Kun 曹錕 Jin Yunpeng 靳雲鵬 Lu Jianzhang 陸建章 Meng Enyuan 孟恩遠 Qi Yaolin 齊耀琳 Qu Yinguang 屈映光 Tian Wenlie 田文烈 Yang Shande 楊善德 Yang Zengxin 楊增新 Zhang Mingqi 張鳴岐 Zhang Xiluan 張錫鑾 Zhu Jiabao 朱家寶 Viscounts of the First Rank 一等子 Edit Li Houji 李厚基 Liu Xianshi 劉顯世 Zhang Guangjian 張廣建 Zhu Qinglan 朱慶瀾 Barons of the First Rank 一等男 Edit Cai Rukai 蔡儒楷 Chen Bingkun 陳炳焜 Duan Shuyun 段書雲 He Zonglian 何宗蓮 Jin Yong 金永 Long Jianzhang 龍建章 Long Jinguang 龍覲光 Lu Yongxiang 盧永祥 Lu Diaoyuan 呂調元 Ma Anliang 馬安良 Pan Juying 潘矩楹 Qi Yang 戚揚 Ren Kecheng 任可澄 Shen Jinjian 沈金鑑 Wang Yitang 王揖唐 Xu Shiying 許世英 Zhang Huaizhi 張懷芝 Baron of the Third Rank 三等男 Edit Feng Yuxiang 馮玉祥 He Fenglin 何丰林 Xu Lanzhou 許蘭洲 See also Edit China portal History portalWarlord era History of the Republic of China Self proclaimed monarchy Military of the Republic of China National Protection WarReferences Edit Shan Patrick Fuliang 2018 09 15 Yuan Shikai A Reappraisal UBC Press ISBN 978 0 7748 3781 1 a b c d e Kuo T ing i et al Historical Annals of the ROC 1911 1949 Vol 1 pp 207 41 Shan Patrick Fuliang 2018 Yuan Shikai A Reappraisal The University of British Columbia Press ISBN 9780774837781 Official specification Parker Edward Harper 22 May 2018 China her history diplomacy and commerce from the earliest times to the present day N Y Dutton via Internet Archive External links Edit Media related to Empire of China 1915 16 at Wikimedia Commons Preceded byRepublic of China Empire of China1915 1916 Succeeded byRepublic of China Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Empire of China 1915 1916 amp oldid 1121923716, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
