Yuan Shikai

Chinese military and government official (1859–1916)

Fame60.5
Momentum2.3
China rank#199

Source-basedFalling

Fame60.5
Momentum2.3
China rank#199
Wikipedia68.6K

Lived 1859–1916, aged 57China

China PoliticiansPolitician

Wikipedia
57 languages
Cross-language footprint
Rank in China
#199
Politicians
Era
1859–1916
Aged 57
Awards
1
recognised work

Summary

Updated 2026-06-10

The general who midwifed a republic and then tried to crown himself emperor. Yuan Shikai brokered the end of China's last dynasty in 1912, became the young republic's first formal president, then declared himself Hongxian Emperor three years later — a monarchy that lasted 83 days before collapsing under revolt.

Biography

About

Born to wealth in Xiangcheng county in 1859, Yuan failed the imperial exams and turned soldier, posted to Korea in 1882 where he helped put down the Gapsin Coup and became de facto governor of the Qing protectorate. Recalled in 1894, he built the Beiyang Army into China's most effective force while backing late Qing reforms — though Hundred Days' Reformists accused him of betrayal, which won him Empress Dowager Cixi's favor and promotion to Viceroy of Zhili in 1902. After the 1911 Wuchang Uprising the Qing summoned him from forced retirement; he brokered a deal with Sun Yat-sen — Sun would ste…

Voice

In their own words

Sourced, dated quotes from Yuan Shikai

Yuan Shikai

saidundated

Unless China takes certain steps to save itself, nothing will prevent it from collapsing.

— Jonathan Fenby, China. The Fall and the Birth of a Great Power, Kraków 2009, p. 128

Yuan Shikai

saidundated

The Republic of China is a tiny baby. They should be cared for and protected against indigestible meals and strong medications prescribed by foreign doctors.

— Jakub Polit, China , Warsaw 2004, p. 72

via Wikiquote · CC BY-SA

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