Schiffin Harold, Sun Yat-Sen and the Origin of the Chinese Revolution - Essay Example

SCHIFFIN HAROLD; SUN YAT-SEN AND THE ORIGIN OF THE CHINESE REVOLUTION Sun yat-sen history Anyone conversant with Chinese history and, in particular, Chinese revolution knows that the concept of Chinese revolution is synonymous with Sun Yat-sen. it is, equally, evident that Harold Schiffrin stands best in describing that piece of history given his vast knowledge and interest in Chinese History. In this regard, this paper scrutinizes the life history of Sun, the father of Chinese revolution through the eyes of Harold Schiffrin. Through the book, it is clear that Sun Yat-sen is without a doubt the father of Chinese revolution and that he is a legend in his own right. His contribution had an impact of what has become the modern day China. Through the dissection and approach that Schiffrin has given the piece, the piece narrates the origin of the Chinese revolution; one which even a layman can easily understand. Sun’s accolades do not originate from what he achieved but rather from what he stood for in course of his life and struggles. He advocated for a Chinese society that was resurgent. like many other leaders, his management style may be subject to scrutiny and criticism but Sun stood out to have some of the best qualities that made his life a success; qualities such as resilience, hope and self-determination. However, on the same note he appeared to lack zeal that would make him achieve all that he stood and advocated for (P. 2). Shchiffin puts it that he lacked that special zeal that would make him stand out as the rest of people who have brought real revolution in other parts of the world this can be attributed to his reluctance. Sun was born to a humble peasant family in Kwangtung province and had the privilege of having the western experience at early stages of his childhood. Through his brother’s help he went to English school at early age and later to American school in Honolulu. It follows that his education played a big impact in his personal perception of various issues of life (p.354). His early lie was a mixture of ideologies. On one hand he had greater interest of converting to Christianity given the exposure to western lifestyle while on the other hand, he had some feelings for Tyoing uprising given that he had been influenced by one of his favorite teachers in early stages of his life. His experiences as a child and youth would later shape his life style. According to Schiffin, Sun was able to advocate for the revolution as a result of the experience and exposure he got from travelling to many countries abroad and that made him the best options for the revolution (p.364) When he returned home to continue schooling between 1883 and 1885, he began to resonate with the true challenges that were facing his country at that time His country was under the regime of Sino-French which was unreceptive .During those youthful days Sun came to terms that his country was spilt into two classes; the cantankerous lower class and the upper class. It was also in those times that he officially agreed to join Christianity to the disappointment of his elder brother that had sponsored most of his schooling activities. His choice of Christianity, contrary to his brother’s expectation, marked the first instance of rebellion in Sun’s life. He later joined a medical in Hong Kong School to study medicine but realized that he could not practice medicine in the colony since his paper work was not recognized. To Schiffrin this was a blessing in disguise because upon being reduced to mere herbalist, he refocused his efforts into political bickering. The revolution Sun’s first efforts for a changed society was evident when he made a raft of proposals and tried to seek the approval of several leaders in Manchu Dynasty but did not qualify in convincing many to his view point and that led to frustrations. To him, his ideas were rejected because he hailed from a low class family and that idea of resentment encouraged him to form a revolution to over throw the leadership. Given his education, he was able to convince a small clique of people to form the Society to Restore China’s Prosperity. This group slowly gained popularity and gained financial support from Chinese leaving in other parts especially Hawaii where his brother helped in fundraising. When Japan beat China in 1895, Sun and his associates found the perfect opportunity to advance their initiative. Those times were best because their conspiracy would make more impact that never before. That would equally mark the advent of the modern day Chinese history. Sun and his associate, deliberately, sought the efforts of world power such as Britain and managed to get to them because he gave them a version that resonated with them. However, as his conspiracies failed many times; he did not manage in one attempt. Despite the failure to advance his agenda he gained popularity amongst the people and that was critical in his future plans. When the Chinese government wanted to kill him, he was forced to flee to Japan where he met and joined other influential people. He continued with efforts to liberate his people by looking for funds and arranging for different kind of support while abroad. During his stay in Japan, Sun went for many trips to western countries particularly USA and England. In essence, he sought the help of the British by convincing them to assume, “benevolent neutrality’. Those efforts did not hold instead he was detained at some point in a Chinese deputation and released after pleas from several close people. Shchiffin has given the story of Sun and the revolution throughout the twelve chapters dedicated in the book. This book appreciates the role of Sun in Tung Meng Hui because after abandoning his career in medicine and choosing to join politics he was tasked with convincing other people to join his quest for a revolutionized China. The greatest test in his life was convincing other to appreciate his leadership style. (p.365). it is also clear that those who agreed to be led by him as well as those who agreed to work with him did that because he seemed knowledgeable since he knew to get the job done through his inherent confidence(p.364). Schiffrin presents Sun as a person who was highly flexible in his dealings given the political tides of those time. He appeared as a good organize who had ways of convincing those he wanted on board. For example when there was crisis fooling the division that the boxer brought in 1900. He decided to approach LiHung Chang and gave him authority over Kwangis. He also made contact with British authorities and offered them some slice of rule in the country as well a share in case he succeed in forming the new government that he was fighting for in LiuHsueh-chang. On the same note, his organizational skills were seen when he approached the Japanese during the time of Waichoiw uprising. Those were desperate times for him and that called for any moves that would salvage hence the approach to the Japanse(p.240). According to Schiffrim Sun was always willing to make a compromise even if it called for looking for help in the strangest places. To Schifrin, Sun was willing to collaborate with whoever would offer help (p.237). Through those actions the initial description that Schiffrin gave Sun qualified; he was resilient and sought to make sure that his hard fought movement succeeded. Sun became influential to other people just s he had also learned a lot from other people. For example, Liang Ch’ich’ao had a role in sun’s life just like Sun also had an impact on his life. Through the book, there is a distinction that is seen at some point because Linaang decided to adopt more of Sun’s ideology and shift from reformer to revolutionary in 1900. In that regard, he was able to consolidate his base (p.188). Due to the competition that Sun had gained from other parts of the country, when he away, he forced to reshape his approach and strategies and a good example is evident when, in 1904, he had to differentiate himself from other people calling themselves ‘reformers’. During those times he diced to criticize reformers by comparing them to constitutional monarchs as opposed to his new class of republican government. On the same light, Sun believed that with support of other intellectuals in the country they would make China a better place and that China was capable of passing Britain as the beacon of success. To him, they had to take advantage of Britain’s undoing and forge the new advent of civilization (p.319). Sun’s height was attained when he advocated for national centered revolution that would Shun Manchu nationalism and advocate for approaches that would bring together students both locally and abroad to share in those dreams. Following his efforts, students studying abroad bowed to his pleas and started advocating for change. It appeared as though they had conformed to his ideologies (p. 356). Further success came to Sun when the student who came from abroad sought to bring a revolution but failed in their quest due to frustrations by the government. Sun filled the leadership void in 1905 by forming T’ung Meng Hui (p.342) Through Schiffrin’s work several things are evident as forming part and parcel for whet shared the Chinese revolution. Pragmatism and responsibility that Sun and his associate used propelled the movement because that enabled others to share in their views and join their course. It is equally clear that Sun’ leadership abilities were essential. For example, most of the students who shared in his views joined his ideology because he was tolerant and receptive to them. Despite his leadership styles, Schiffrin does not shy away from saying that Sun lacked “the clear cut authority” to make things done because he depended too much on pragmatism (p.365). Equally, Sun’s advocacy for a shit in policies, particularly call for inclusion of borrowed foreign policy, did not go well with many people. To Sun, only such approach would liberate Chin and bring the much needed salvation (p.299). In a nut shell, the work of Schiffin presents the background through which a reader can understand the story of Sun and how his life struggles brought about revolution to China. His actions contributed to what has become the modern day China. There is no doubt that Schiffin Harold did good work in “Sun Yat-Sen and the Origin of the Chinese”. Work cited Harold Schiffrin. Sun Yat-sen and the Origins of the Chinese Revolution. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1968. Read More