Few people know that at the beginning of the 20th century, a new imperial dynasty was founded in China, which lasted only 83 days. The man who made a brilliant career from an ordinary military man to the autocrat of a vast empire was Yuan Shikai. His biography contains many interesting facts that are worth reading.
Childhood and adolescence
The future Chinese dictator Yuan Shikai was born in 1959 in the village of Zhanjun, located in Chenzhou Prefecture (Henan), in a family of hereditary military. His parents were fairly we althy people, so they gave their son a decent Confucian education. At the same time, he did not show much zeal in his studies, but he was fond of horse 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 to at least make a career in this way, especially since there were many famous military leaders among his clan members.
Military career
At the end of the 1870s, Yuan Shikai joined the Anhui army, whichcommanded by the commander Li Hongzhang, and in its composition was seconded to Korea. There he managed to show his talent as an organizer, which did not go unnoticed. As a result, Shikai was appointed as the envoy of the Chinese emperor in Seoul, but actually headed the local government, which, along with other factors, caused concern in Japan. The outbreak of war led to the defeat of the Qing Empire, which had to think about modernizing its military forces. General Yuan Shikai was appointed to lead the creation of a new Beiyang army on the German model.
After the death of Li Hongzhang in 1901, he also received the post of Viceroy of Zhili. Other appointments followed by Empress Dowager Cixi, which only strengthened Shikai's position.
Participation in reforms
During the first decade of the 20th century, Yuan Shikai played an active role in almost all reforms carried out in the country, including the establishment of the Ministries of Education and Police. He reached 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 Yi - and left for voluntary exile in his native village.
Election for President
In 1911, an anti-government uprising broke out in many regions of the country. Yuan Shikai's help was needed to suppress it. He was summoned to the capital and appointed prime minister.minister. During this period, chaos reigned in the country, and every day more and more provinces came under the rule of the republicans. Yuan Shikai quickly got his bearings and began to play a double game. As a result, he agreed to overthrow the Manchu dynasty, which he had served for many years, and was elected the first president of the Republic of China. Immediately a special coin was issued. Yuan Shikai was proclaimed the founder of the republic, although he was not. The politician did not stop there, as his plans included the creation of a new dynasty.
China under Yuan Shikai's presidency
In 1915, the Republic of China was the scene of a struggle between the great powers and the leaders of the local clans, who sought to snatch a bigger piece for themselves. Then Yuan Shikai, whose biography is a story of constant ascent to ever new political heights, decided to become the sole ruler of China. To do this, he dissolved the National Assembly and proclaimed himself president for life. Shikai then proceeded to create the Chinese Empire.
Although his goals were the most beneficent, and he proclaimed his goal to achieve peace and stability, the situation of the people under his rule worsened even more than under the Qing dynasty. As a result, uprisings broke out again in the regions.
Chinese resentment reached a breaking point when Yuan Shikai convened a people's assembly, which invited him to become emperor and establish a new dynasty. The dictator modestly refused at first, but then generously agreed to "yield" to the request of the Chinese people.
Enddictatorships
Very soon it turned out that the policy of Yuan Shikai only worsens the state of affairs in the country. She was extremely unpopular with the Chinese, as the new "emperor" generously distributed state lands to his relatives, allowed her to plunder the treasury and destroyed dissidents. In addition, the dictator tried to get close to foreign monarchs and even arrange the marriage of his daughter with the deposed Emperor Pu Yi.
Feeling that he would not succeed in retaining power as a monarch, on March 22, 1916, Yuan Shikai announced the abolition of the monarchy and that he again held the post of president for life.
The dictator died on June 6, 1916 from uremia. His death plunged the country into even greater chaos, culminating in the unification of the Celestial Empire under the auspices of the Kuomintang Party.
Trace in numismatics
During the short period of his reign, the dictator managed to issue banknotes with his image. He commissioned the creation of stamps to the Italian Luigi Giorgi. Soon the first coin was minted. Yuan Shikai was depicted on it in full military attire in the European style. Its face value was one dollar. The material used was gold, silver and copper (trial versions). Moreover, 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 with a face value of 1 yuan (dollar), as well as 10, 20 and 50 jiao (cents) entered circulation. In Tianjin, 5 yuan was also minted from gold. On the reverse of this coinpictured a dragon. Interestingly, the Chinese immediately dubbed the new coins "fat head", as the "emperor" was a rather obese person. The weight of 1 dollar coins was 26.7-26.9 grams, so gold options are a priori very expensive.
Now you know who Yuan Shikai was. "Dollar" (China) of the period of his reign is a desirable acquisition for collectors. However, today there are many cases when, under the guise of originals, they tried to sell skillful fakes.
