The Weakness of the Qing Dynasty and Rise of Sun Yat-sen

The Qing Dynasty was weak due to its failure to industrialize and its non-Chinese leadership, which led to a lack of authority and popular support among the Chinese people. This discontent culminated in the 1911 Revolution, led by Sun Yat-sen, who devoted his life to overthrowing the Qing and became the first president of the Provisional Government of the Republic of China. Following his death, Chiang Kai-shek took over the Nationalists. The Warlords Era saw local governors fighting for control until the Chinese Communist Party and Nationalists united in a First United Front to eliminate the warlords. However, this alliance collapsed, leading to a civil war.