Few know that at the beginning of the 20th century in China wasa new imperial dynasty was founded, which lasted only 83 days. The man who made a brilliant career from an ordinary military man to an autocrat of a huge empire was called Yuan Shikai. His biography contains many interesting facts that are worth reading.
Childhood and youth
The future Chinese dictator Yuan Shikai was born in1959 in the village of Zhanjun, located in Chenzhou Prefecture (Henan), in the family of hereditary military. His parents were wealthy enough people, so they gave his son a decent Confucian education. However, 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 his career, especially since there were many well-known commanders among the members of his clan.
Military career
В конце 1870 годов Юань Шикай вступил в Anhui army, commanded by commander Li Hongzhang, and in its composition was seconded to Korea. There he managed to show his talent as an organizer who did not go unnoticed. As a result, Shikai was appointed envoy of the Chinese emperor in Seoul, but in fact headed the local government, which, along with other factors, caused concern to Japan. The outbreak of war led to the defeat of the Qing Empire, which had to think about in order to modernize its armed forces. General Yuan Shikai was appointed to lead the creation of a new Beiyan army in accordance with the German model.
After the death of Li Hongzhang in 1901, he also received the post of governor Zhili. This was followed by other appointments made by the widowed empress Cixi, who only strengthened Shikaya’s position.
Participation in reforms
During the first decade of the 20th century, Yuan Shikaiplayed an active role in almost all reforms carried out in the camp, including the creation of the Ministry of Education and the police. He achieved such power that in 1908, the empress dowager, in anticipation of 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 to the presidency
In 1911, in many regions of the country broke outanti-government uprising. To suppress it, Yuan Shikai needed help. He was summoned to the capital and appointed prime minister. During this period, chaos reigned in the country, and every day more and more provinces passed under the authority of the Republicans. Yuan Shikai quickly oriented and began to play a double game. As a result, he agreed to overthrow the Manchu dynasty, which he served for many years, and was elected the first president of Republican China. A special coin was immediately issued. Yuan Shikai was proclaimed as the founder of the republic, although he was not. The politician did not stop at 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 scene of the strugglegreat powers and leaders of local clans who sought to grab a bigger piece. Then Yuan Shikai, whose biography is a story about the constant rise to new political heights, decided to become the sole ruler of China. For this, he dissolved the National Assembly and proclaimed himself president for life. Then Shikai set about creating the Chinese Empire.
Although his goals were the most good, and heproclaimed his goal to achieve peace and stability, the situation of the people under his rule deteriorated even more than during the Qing dynasty. As a result, rebellions broke out again in the regions.
Chinese resentment reached its limit when YuanShikai 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 “give in” to the request of the Chinese people.
The end of the dictatorship
It soon turned out that the policy of Yuan Shikayaonly worsens the state of affairs in the country. She was extremely unpopular with the Chinese, since the new "emperor" generously distributed state lands to her relatives, allowed her to plunder the treasury and destroy dissidents. In addition, the dictator tried to get close to foreign monarchs and even arrange a marriage of his daughter with the overthrown emperor Pu I.
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 holds 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.
The trace in numismatics
For a short period of his reign the dictator managedto issue banknotes with your image. Creating stamps, he ordered the Italian Luigi Giorgi. Soon the first coin was minted. Yuan Shikai on her was depicted in full military clothes in the European manner. Her face value 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 foundation of the republic and were intended for presentation purposes.
At the end of 1914, the circulation was receivedsilver coins of 1 yuan (dollar), as well as 10, 20 and 50 jiao (cents). In Tianztsin, they also minted 5 yuan of gold. On the reverse of this coin depicted a dragon. Interestingly, the Chinese immediately dubbed the new coins "fat head", since the "emperor" was a rather obese person. The weight of coins in denominations of 1 dollar was 26.7-26.9 grams, so a priori gold options are very expensive.
Now you know who Yuan Shikai was.The “dollar” (China) of his rule is a welcome acquisition for collectors. However, today there are many cases where, under the guise of originals, they tried to sell artful fakes.
