Page:General History of Europe 1921.djvu/772

 58o General History of Europe 1056. China becomes a Republic. Thus this great conflict produced by the rivalry of the European powers in the East was brought to an end, but the wealth of China and the fact that it had not yet organized a strong army or navy left it as a tempt- ing prize for further aggression. Nevertheless, China was changing as rapidly as Japan had formerly done. Students returning home from Western countries deter- mined to overthrow the Manchu (or Manchurian) dynasty, which had ruled for two hundred and sixty-seven years, and their cor- rupt officials. After a heroic and bloody struggle they forced the court, on February 12, 1912, to declare the abdication of the boy-emperor then on the throne and the creation of a republic. 1057. China's Troubles with its First President. The presi- dent of the new republic, Yuan Shih-kai, posed as a revolutionist, but really longed to be the suc- cessor of the old Manchu dynasty. Then the Republicans revolted against a president who seemed to be steadily violating the principles of republican rule. During the spring of 1916 the disorders constantly increased and developed into a contest between southern China and the more backward North. In spite of the death of the president in June, 1916, the conflict continued. The World War prevented the European powers from interfer- ing and left the Chinese to continue their attempts to turn their ancient monarchy into a modern republic. DEPOSED YOUNG EMPEROR OF CHINA Hsuan Tung, the last of the Man- chu dynasty, became emperor at the age of three and was forced to abdicate in 1912 .when seven years old. He was permitted to retain his title and given a palace in which to reside