Movement for the Restoration of Monarchy after the Xinhai Revolution (Data from Russian Archives). Early Stage of the Activity of Zongshedang Party

Abstract

Based mainly on Russian archival materials, this paper discusses the activities of monarchists of Zongshedang party (Party of the loyalty to the throne) in the first years after the Xinhai Revolution of 1911–1912, which destroyed the Qing Empire. Archival documents show the growth of sentiment for restoration of the Manchu monarchy in large segments of the society, including the Chinese, primarily in Manchuria and adjacent areas. However, the ideas of restoration were most popular not among the Han (Chinese) people, but among other peoples of the former Empire. This is one of evidences that the Xinhai Revolution and proclamation of the Republic of China were primarily Han national movement alien to other peoples of the former Qing Empire. Many of them in the crisis built their independence and most of them did not think of themselves as parts of the Han Chinese republic. Supporters of the Manchu dynasty restoration initially failed to consolidate. The Zongshedang Party, despite apparent influence of its leaders, was a loose structure, represented by scattered groups, without clear program, leadership, structure, strategy and tactics. Situational activities, poorly organized propaganda, insufficient social support, administrative resources, material and personnel base did not allow supporters of the restoration to organize effective struggle for their goals, despite some support from abroad. Little-known aspects of monarchist activities in Manchuria and China are discussed. Data from diplomatic correspondence and other documents from Russian archives, compiled by qualified witnesses of the events, contain many details that were not reflected even in the relevant Chinese publications, which are quite scarce: the past more than a hundred years, the monarchist movement did not cause sympathy not only on the mainland, but also in Taiwan. Abovementioned correspondence contains names of many actors, no information about whom may be found in other sources.