Revolutionary-Sun Yatsen to Chiang Kai-shek (Jiang Jieshi)

Home › Forums › Core Seminars › East Asia Since 1800, Fall 2019 › Session 4 - 10/5 (afternoon), Clay Dube › Revolutionary-Sun Yatsen to Chiang Kai-shek (Jiang Jieshi)

#42202
Angela Chong
Spectator

While I was part of the Reforner group under Liang Qichao, I am definitly more intrigued by the writings of Sun Yatsen. His background is facinating and the way that he pulled from his education, and time in Hong Kong in Medical school, in exile in Europe, and then in Hawaii as well. Coming up with a 5 yaun government, (building on the idea of 3 branches of government) and then infusing some of what already existed in China:

1. Executive Yaun

2. Legislative

3. Judicial Yuan

4. Examination Yuan

5. Censor Yuan

This mix clearly comes from his experiences outside of China and shows a desire to not completely revolutionize the country by keeping the Examination Yuan. To me his plan is almost that of a reformer, of those other couries he had spent time in with 3 branches of government, and infusing parts of China that he saw as beneficial and could continue to work.

Sun Yasen's plan for 3 stages of the revolution and that would then lead to an organized establishment of the new government enabled Chang Kai-shek (Jiang Jieshi) to continue his ideas and ideals for a new China even after his death. 

Chag Kai-shek (Jang Jieshi)  insprired me,  that he advocated for self rule by different ehtnic groups who are still part of China today. He referrences NOT wanting to be like Japan was in Korea. His ideas for Nationalism and allowing self rule for other ethnic groups within China is refreshing, in that it acknowledges the need for a Nationalistic Chinese governments, and alllowing the same for others. This form of Nationalism where in Sun Yatsen's words "Allows their indigenous civilization to fourish and absorb what has worked in other places of the world." I may be looking at it through rose colored glasses, but it sounds pretty good to me! Anyone else have thoughts?