(1866–1925). A revolutionary leader, Sun Yat-sen devoted his life to trying to make China free, strong, and democratic. He was the central figure in the Chinese revolution of 1911, which overthrew the ruling Qing (Manchu) Dynasty. This momentous change ended China's 2,000-year-old imperial system of government.

Early life

Sun Yat-sen was born on November 12, 1866, in Hsiang-shan, in southern China. His parents were poor farmers. Instead of studying the classics of Chinese culture, Sun received a Western education. In 1879 a brother who had moved to Hawaii sent for him, and Sun studied in Honolulu for four years. The schools he attended there were run by British missionaries and by Americans. After returning briefly to Hsiang-shan in 1883, he left again to continue his studies in Hong Kong, which was then a British colony. He graduated from medical school in Hong Kong in 1892 and began practicing medicine.

In exile

As a young man Sun decided that the conservative Qing Dynasty was allowing China to fall behind the technologically advanced Western nations. He soon gave up his medical career and dedicated himself to overthrowing the Qing. After an unsuccessful uprising in 1895, Sun fled the country.

Sun continued his political activities in Japan, Britain, the United States, Canada, and elsewhere. In 1896 he was caught and held captive for 13 days by Chinese diplomats in London. This episode brought much attention to the young man's cause. Sun raised funds and organized overseas Chinese students into revolutionary groups. In 16 years of exile, he made ten attempts to bring about a revolution in China.

During this period Sun first laid out his Three Principles of the People—nationalism, democracy, and socialism. These ideas were the basis of his political policies. By them he meant that China must become a strong, unified nation with self-government, free elections, and policies that benefit all its citizens.

Revolution and after

The Chinese people finally launched a successful rebellion against the imperial government in 1911. Sun was in Denver, Colorado, at the time. He returned to China in December 1911, as the Qing Dynasty was crumbling. As leader of the new Nationalist Party, Sun was elected provisional, or temporary, president. On February 12, 1912, the Chinese emperor stepped down. Sun, knowing that his government was weak, resigned the next day. Yüan Shih-k'ai, a powerful military leader, became the first president of the new Republic of China.

Sun's disagreements with Yüan's government led him to organize a second revolution in 1913. When the campaign failed, Sun fled to Japan. Yüan fell from power in 1916, beginning a disorderly period of rule by local warlords. Sun returned to China in 1917 and tried to form a new government, but he was unsuccessful. After building up his support, he was finally able to make himself the leader of a new regime in 1923.

Unable to get aid from the West or Japan, Sun turned to the Communist government of the Soviet Union. The Soviets persuaded the Chinese Communist Party to cooperate with the Nationalists. In 1924 Sun reorganized the Nationalist Party on the model of the Soviet Communist Party. Sun was still establishing his authority when he died of cancer on March 12, 1925. Under the leadership of Chiang Kai-shek, the Nationalist Party went on to rule China from 1928 to 1949.