Yuan Shikai: biography, photo. China during the presidency of Yuan Shikai

Few know that in the early 20th century, a new imperial dynasty was founded in China, which lasted only 83 days. A man who made a brilliant career from a regular military to an autocrat of a huge empire was called Yuan Shikai. His biography contains many interesting facts that should be read.

Childhood and youth

The future Chinese dictator Yuan Shikai was born in 1959 in the village of Zhangjun, located in the Chenzhou Prefecture (Henan), in a family of hereditary soldiers. His parents were well-off people, so they gave their son a decent Confucian education. However, he did not show much zeal in his studies, but was fond of riding and traditional martial arts. As a result, Yuan Shikai twice failed to pass the imperial exam and decided to become a military man, hoping at least to make a career, especially since among his clan members there were many well-known military leaders.

Military career

At the end of 1870, Yuan Shikai joined the Anhui army, commanded by the military commander Li Hongzhan, and was sent to Korea. There he managed to show his talent as an organizer, which did not go unnoticed. As a result, Shikai was appointed envoy of the Chinese emperor in Seoul, but actually led the local government, which, along with other factors, aroused concern in Japan. The outbreak of the war led to the defeat of the Qing Empire, which had to think about engaging in the modernization of its armed forces. General Yuan Shikai was appointed to lead the creation of the new Bayan army on the German model.

After the death of Li Hongzhang in 1901, he also received the post of vicegerent Zhili. Further followed by other appointments made by the Empress Dowager Cixi, who only strengthened the position of Shikaya.

Participation in reforms

During the first decade of the 20th century, Yuan Shikai played an active role in virtually all reforms in the camp, including the creation of the Ministries of Education and Police. He achieved such power that in 1908 the Empress Dowager, anticipating her imminent death, ordered the execution of the general. However, the future dictator acted extremely wisely: he transferred all his powers to the newly appointed regent - the minor Emperor Pu I - and left for voluntary exile in his native village.

Election to the presidency

In 1911, an anti-government uprising broke out in many regions of the country. To suppress it, Yuan Shikai needed help. He was summoned to the capital and appointed prime minister. During this period, the country was in chaos, and every day more and more provinces passed under the authority of Republicans. Yuan Shikai quickly navigated and began to play a double game. As a result, he agreed on the overthrow of the Manchu dynasty, which he served for many years, and was elected the first president of Republic China. Immediately was issued a special coin. Yuan Shikai was proclaimed the founder of the republic on it, although it was not. The politician did not stop on this, since his plans included the creation of a new dynasty.

China during the presidency of Yuan Shikai

In 1915, the Republic of China was the arena of the struggle of the great powers and leaders of local clans, who sought to grab a bigger piece. Then Yuan Shikai, whose biography is the story of a constant ascent to all new political heights, decided to become the sole ruler of China. To this end, he dissolved the National Assembly and proclaimed himself a life president. Then Shikai began to create the Chinese Empire.

Although his goals were the best, and he proclaimed his goal to achieve peace and stability, the position of the people under his rule worsened even more than under the Qing dynasty. As a result, rebellions broke out in the regions again.

The indignation of the Chinese reached the limit when Yuan Shikai convened a people's assembly, which invited him to become emperor and establish a new dynasty. The dictator at first modestly refused, but then generously agreed to "yield" to the request of the Chinese people.

End of dictatorship

Very soon it turned out that the policy of Yuan Shikai only worsens the state of affairs in the country. It was extremely unpopular with the Chinese, since the new "emperor" generously distributed state lands to his relatives, allowed her to plunder the treasury and destroy dissenters. In addition, the dictator tried to get closer to foreign monarchs and even arrange a marriage of the daughter with the overthrown Emperor Pu I

Feeling that he would not be able to retain power as a monarch, on March 22, 1916, Yuan Shikai announced the abolition of the monarchy and that he again occupies the post of president for life.

The dictator died June 6, 1916 from uremia. His death threw the country into even greater chaos, culminating in the unification of the Celestial Empire under the auspices of the Kuomintang party.

The Trace in Numismatics

For a short period of his rule, the dictator managed to issue banknotes with his image. The creation of the stamps he ordered the Italian Luigi Giorgi. Soon the first coin was minted. Yuan Shikai on it was depicted in full military dress in a European manner. Its denomination was one dollar. The material used was gold, silver and copper (trial versions). And the coins of the first type were rather souvenir. They were dedicated to the founding of the republic and were intended for presentation purposes.

At the end of 1914, silver coins of 1 yuan (dollar) and 10, 20 and 50 jiao (cents) were in circulation. In Tianjin, 5 yuan of gold was also minted. On the reverse of this coin, a dragon was depicted. Interestingly, the Chinese immediately dubbed new coins "thick head", as the "emperor" was a rather obese person. The weight of coins with a face value of 1 dollar was 26.7-26.9 grams, so the gold options a priori are very expensive.

Now you know who Yuan Shikai was. "Dollar" (China) during his rule is a welcome acquisition for collectors. However, today there are many cases when in the guise of originals they tried to sell skilful counterfeits.