The early years of the Republic of China were marked by fierce political turmoil and military conflict. Among the most pivotal of these struggles was the Anti-Yuan War of 1913, also known as the Second Revolution or the Guichou Rebellion. This conflict, led by Sun Yat-sen and other leaders of the bourgeois revolutionary party, was launched to resist the autocratic rule of Yuan Shikai and to defend the nascent democratic and republican system established after the 1911 Xinhai Revolution. Despite their efforts, the revolutionaries were ultimately defeated, leading to the expansion of the Beiyang warlord faction’s influence into southern provinces and the beginning of a nationwide era of regional military despotism.

This article explores the historical context, key events, and outcomes of this important conflict, with a detailed focus on two principal theaters of war: Jiangxi and Jiangsu provinces.

Historical Background: From Revolution to Reaction

The fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1911 ended over two millennia of imperial rule in China and ushered in the Republic of China. However, the transition was fraught with challenges. Revolutionary ideals clashed with political realities, and the provisional government struggled to unify the country under a democratic republican framework. Yuan Shikai, a powerful military leader and former Qing general, became the focal point of conflict after he maneuvered himself into the presidency of the Republic.

While Yuan initially appeared to support the republican cause, he increasingly centralized power and exhibited autocratic tendencies. His efforts to consolidate authority alarmed Sun Yat-sen and other revolutionaries, who viewed Yuan’s ambitions as a betrayal of the revolution’s ideals. In response, the Second Revolution was launched to overthrow Yuan’s regime and preserve democratic governance.

The Outbreak of the Anti-Yuan War

The Anti-Yuan War began in earnest in mid-1913, with military operations spanning several southern provinces. The conflict was complex, involving multiple factions and armies. The Beiyang Army, loyal to Yuan Shikai, and the revolutionary forces clashed in intense battles, particularly in Jiangxi and Jiangsu provinces.

### Northern Beiyang Army’s Strategic Deployment

As early as June 1913, Yuan Shikai had directed his forces to prepare for military action against the revolutionaries. The Beiyang Sixth Division, commanded by Li Chun and stationed in southern Henan, was ordered to advance southward toward key areas in Hubei province, such as Xingguo and Qichun. These movements were coordinated with the deployment of the Second Division under Wang Zhanyuan and a detachment from the Twentieth Division, ensuring a strong multi-pronged approach.

Yuan’s deputy president, Li Yuanhong, instructed Li Chun to establish defensive positions near strategic locations such as Xingguo and Tianjiazhen, with the intention to strike swiftly at revolutionary strongholds like Jiujiang and Nanchang when the opportunity arose.

By early July, Yuan’s forces began crossing the Yangtze River into Jiangxi, a critical move to encircle and suppress revolutionary forces. The Sixth Division’s vanguard, led by Wu Hongchang, crossed into Jiangxi on July 6 and established landing points near Jiujiang. The full main force arrived by July 10, securing positions around Jiujiang’s western and southern periphery.

Yuan’s troops strategically occupied key points to encircle the city and prepare for an offensive against the revolutionary Jiangxi army. Approximately 7,000 Beiyang soldiers were positioned in surrounding towns and villages, creating a formidable siege and defense network.

### Revolutionary Forces’ Dispositions in Jiangxi

The revolutionary army in Jiangxi, known as the Gan Army, was composed of two divisions and a mixed brigade, totaling around 25,000 troops. Ouyang Wu, the provincial military commander and division leader, was based in Nanchang, the provincial capital. His forces were dispersed across strategic points, including De’an, Ruichang, Jiujiang, and the provincial capital itself.

Despite their numbers, revolutionary forces were spread thinly over a wide area. Their defense of Jiujiang was notably weak, with only a single division headquarters and four battalions defending the city. Other key locations such as Hukou were defended by a single regiment, while Nanchang was also inadequately fortified.

The revolutionary leadership, including figures like Li Liejun who returned from Shanghai to rally the cause, was acutely aware of the imminent threat posed by Yuan’s forces. On July 8, just as Beiyang troops advanced, Li convened a high-level meeting in Hukou to plan their counteroffensive.

Key Battles and Military Engagements in Jiangxi

The fighting in Jiangxi was intense and pivotal. The initial clashes occurred near De’an along the front lines where revolutionary forces confronted the advancing Beiyang troops. The revolutionaries sought to hold critical points along the Yangtze River and maintain control over transport and communication lines.

However, the superior training, equipment, and coordination of the Beiyang Army gave Yuan’s forces a significant advantage. The Beiyang troops utilized modern weaponry, including machine guns and artillery, supported by naval gunboats such as the “Flying Thunder” and other warships sent by Yuan to assist the land assault.

Despite pockets of fierce resistance, the revolutionary forces gradually lost ground. The Beiyang army’s control over river crossings and key towns allowed them to tighten their grip on Jiangxi.

Jiangsu Province: The Southern Front

While Jiangxi was a critical battlefield, Jiangsu province was another major theater of conflict during the Anti-Yuan War. The province’s strategic location along the lower Yangtze River and proximity to Shanghai made it a vital target.

Revolutionary forces in Jiangsu mobilized to resist Beiyang advances, but the military imbalance and logistical difficulties hampered effective defense. Similar to Jiangxi, the Beiyang army’s superior organization enabled them to seize control of key urban centers and transportation hubs.

The Aftermath: Defeat of the Revolutionaries and Rise of Warlord Rule

The defeat of the revolutionary forces in the Anti-Yuan War had profound consequences for China’s political landscape. With the failure of the Second Revolution, Yuan Shikai’s Beiyang warlords consolidated their control over much of the country, extending their influence into southern provinces previously under revolutionary control.

This victory marked the beginning of an era characterized by fragmented military rule and the dominance of regional warlords. The ideal of a unified, democratic republic was eclipsed by the realities of militarized factionalism and authoritarianism.

Yuan Shikai’s reign was short-lived—he would later declare himself emperor, further alienating many factions—but the legacy of the Anti-Yuan War set the stage for decades of civil strife and competing warlord governments.

Cultural and Political Impact

The Anti-Yuan War was not merely a military conflict; it was a struggle over the very identity and future of modern China. The revolutionaries’ defeat represented a setback for the democratic aspirations born out of the 1911 Revolution. However, it also galvanized opposition to military dictatorship and inspired continued activism among republican and nationalist circles.

The conflict highlighted the challenges of transitioning from imperial rule to republicanism in a vast, diverse, and historically fragmented country. It underscored the difficulties of establishing centralized authority without relying on military force and foreshadowed the prolonged instability that would plague China through the warlord era and beyond.

Legacy and Historical Significance

The Anti-Yuan War remains a critical episode in early 20th-century Chinese history. It exemplifies the tensions between revolutionary ideals and the pragmatic realities of power during a turbulent period of transformation.

The war also illuminates the complexities of Chinese military and political structures in the early Republic, including the interplay between regional armies, political factions, and foreign influences.

For scholars and enthusiasts of Chinese history, the conflict serves as a cautionary tale of how revolutionary momentum can be stalled or reversed by authoritarian ambitions and military might.

Moreover, the localized battles in Jiangxi and Jiangsu provide valuable insights into the dynamics of warfare, regional loyalties, and strategic planning during this formative period.

Conclusion

The Anti-Yuan War, or the Second Revolution, was a decisive confrontation between the forces of republican democracy and military autocracy in early Republican China. Though ultimately unsuccessful, the revolutionaries’ efforts to resist Yuan Shikai’s consolidation of power were emblematic of the broader struggle to define China’s political future.

The conflict’s aftermath ushered in the warlord era, a fragmented period marked by military rule and political instability. Yet, the ideals that motivated the revolutionaries continued to inspire future generations, influencing China’s eventual path toward modernization and national unification.

Understanding the Anti-Yuan War provides a window into the complexities of China’s early republican history and the enduring challenges of forging a modern nation-state amidst competing visions of power and governance.