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The unrest culminated in the 1911 Wuchang Uprising, which quickly snowballed into a nationwide rebellion. Provinces declared independence from the Qing monarchy, leading to the abdication of Emperor Puyi in February 1912. Sun Yat-sen was named provisional president, marking China's transition from centuries of imperial rule to a republic.
Power Struggles and Yuan Shikai’s Rise and Fall
Despite the revolution's success, stability was elusive. The real power lay with Yuan Shikai, a military strongman who had commanded the revolutionary forces and was appointed to lead the Republic. Recognizing the need for a centralized authority, Sun Yat-sen transferred power to Yuan in April 1912, hoping he would guide the nation toward democratic governance.