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30 fascinating Xinhai Revolution images, the Chinese Revolution of 1911

Last Updated on 2023/09/04

The Xinhai Revolution: End of Qing Dynasty and Dawn of Modern China.

The Xinhai Revolution (辛亥革命, Xīnhài gémìng), also known as the 1911 Revolution, was a monumental event that signaled the end of China’s last imperial dynasty, the Qing dynasty. This nationwide insurrection ultimately led to the establishment of the Republic of China (R.O.C.).

The name “Xinhai” derives from the Chinese sexagenary cycle, specifically the stem-branch corresponding to the year 1911. In this cycle, 1911 was the year of Xinhai (辛亥), or the metal pig, thereby lending its name to the revolution.

The revolutionary movement was a complex tapestry of revolts and uprisings, which unfolded across China. One of the most pivotal events during this period was the Wuchang Uprising, which erupted on October 10, 1911. This uprising served as a crucial turning point and was directly precipitated by the mismanagement of the Railway Protection Movement, a campaign aimed at safeguarding Chinese control of its own railway networks.

At the heart of the Xinhai Revolution was widespread discontent with the declining Qing state. The dynasty had been struggling for years, failing to effectively modernize the nation and defend against foreign aggression. Its inability to address these pressing issues fanned the flames of rebellion, eventually culminating in a revolution that forever changed the landscape of Chinese politics and society.

Related articles: Baron Roman Ungern von Sternberg, The Man Who Would Be Mongolian Emperor, Amazing Japanese war prints of the Sino-Japanese war, The First Sino-Japanese War

Japanese war prints

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An episode in the revolutionary war in China, 1911: a battle near Hankow, from the Imperial side.
xinhai revolution images
An episode in the revolutionary war in China, 1911: a battle outside Hankow.
xinhai-revolution print
An episode in the revolutionary war in China, 1911: a pitched battle between the imperial army (left) and the revolutionary army (right). 1911. By T. Miyano
Battle-between-the-imperial-and-the-revolutionary-army
An episode in the revolutionary war in China, 1911: a pitched battle between the imperial army (left) and the revolutionary army (right), outside the walls of a fortified city. 1911. T.Miyano.
Battle-outside-Hankow
An episode in the revolutionary war in China, 1911: a battle outside Hankow.
Revolutionary army ambushes part of the imperial army
An episode in the revolutionary war in China, 1911: the revolutionary army, on a hill (left), ambushes part of the imperial army (right) as the latter approaches a city flying the republican flag. 1911. T. Miyano
The-march-of-the-revolutionary-army-on-Wuhan
An episode in the revolutionary war in China, 1911: the march of the revolutionary army on Wuhan with two portraits of revolutionary leaders in roundels at top; the right one resembles Sun Yat Sen. 1911. T. Miyano
The revolutionary army entering Nanking
An episode in the revolutionary war in China, 1911: the revolutionary army entering Nanking. 1911. T. Miyano
Battle-for-Nanking
An episode in the revolutionary war in China, 1911: the battle for Nanking. 1911. T. Miyano
Battle at the fall of Nanking
An episode in the revolutionary war in China, 1911: the battle at the fall of Nanking. 1911. T. Miyano
Battle at Hankow
An episode in the revolutionary war in China, 1911: the battle at Hankow. 1911. T. Miyano
Battle at Cho-Yan-Men, Nanking
An episode in the revolutionary war in China, 1911: the battle at Cho-Yan-Men, Nanking.
Battle at the Ta-ping gate at Nanking
An episode in the revolutionary war in China, 1911: the battle at the Ta-ping gate at Nanking.
Xinhai Revolution
Xinhai Revolution (or Revolution of 1911). Tuan-Fang, Viceroy of Nankin. MAURICE-LOUIS BRANGER (1874-1950)
Xinhai-revolution-chinese-soldiers
Xinhai Revolution (or Revolution of 1911). Chinese soldiers, 1911. MAURICE-LOUIS BRANGER (1874-1950)
Wan-Ring-Chung
Xinhai Revolution (or Revolution of 1911). Wan-Ring-Chung, vice-director of the Foreign Affairs. MAURICE-LOUIS BRANGER (1874-1950)
Xinhai-Revolution
Xinhai Revolution (or Revolution of 1911). Western people on the ramparts of Hankou, at the outbreak of the revolution. China, 1911. MAURICE-LOUIS BRANGER (1874-1950)
Xinhai Revolution (or Revolution of 1911). Chinese refugees at the German fort of Beijing (China).
Xinhai Revolution (or Revolution of 1911). Chinese refugees at the German fort of Beijing (China). MAURICE-LOUIS BRANGER (1874-1950)
Xinhai Revolution (or Revolution of 1911). General Sen-Kun-Pao.
Xinhai Revolution (or Revolution of 1911). General Sen-Kun-Pao. MAURICE-LOUIS BRANGER (1874-1950)
Italian sailors. Beijing (China), 1911.
Italian sailors. Beijing (China), 1911. MAURICE-LOUIS BRANGER (1874-1950)
Italian sailors. Beijing (China), 1911.
Italian sailors. Beijing (China), 1911. MAURICE-LOUIS BRANGER (1874-1950)
Russian sailors. Beijing (China), 1911.
Russian sailors. Beijing (China), 1911. MAURICE-LOUIS BRANGER (1874-1950)
1911 Fukien Military Government
Fukien Military Government in Foochow, 1911
Republic of China Flags
A rare image of the three flags of the Republic of China together. At center, the first national flag, at left the army flag, and at right the Sun Yat Sen flag. Underneath the picture is the slogan “Long live the republic!” (共和萬歲, in traditional right-to-left single-character column order).
Nanjing Road during Xinhai Revolution
Nanjing Road during Xinhai Revolution

Source: wellcome images , europeana, Parisienne de Photographie , wikipedia , wikicommons

Topics: Chinese Revolution, Chinese Revolution images, Xinhai Revolution photos, old China photos, China’s last imperial dynasty, Qing dynasty war, Japanese war prints, End of Qing Dynasty, Impact of the Xinhai Revolution, Birth of the Republic of China, Failure of the Qing State, Key Moments in the Xinhai Revolution, Role of the Wuchang Uprising, Chinese efforts to modernize, Catalysts for the 1911 Revolution, Nationwide Rebellion against the Qing Dynasty

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