When did China become a Republic?
Republic of China (1912–1949)
1912
Republic of China, as a state and republic in East Asia, controlled the Chinese mainland and Mongolia from 1912, when it was established by Xinhai Revolution, which overthrew Qing dynasty, the last imperial dynasty of China, to 1949, when its government fled to Taipei due to Kuomintang's failure in Chinese Civil War. Republic of China's first president, Sun Yat-sen, served only briefly before handing over the position to Yuan Shikai, leader of Beiyang Army. His party, then led by Song Jiaoren, won the parliamentary election held in December 1912. Song Jiaoren was assassinated shortly after, and Beiyang Army led by Yuan Shikai maintained full control of Beiyang government. Between late 1915 and early 1916, Yuan Shikai tried to reinstate the monarchy, before abdicating after popular unrest. After Yuan Shikai's death in 1916, members of cliques in Beiyang Army claimed their autonomy and clashed with each other. During this period, the authority of Beiyang government was weakened by a restoration of Qing dynasty.