What revolution in 1911 led to the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty?

• A. The Boxer Rebellion
• B. The May Fourth Movement
• C. The Xinhai Revolution
• D. The Opium Wars

Answer: (C)

The Xinhai Revolution, occurring in 1911, was a significant turning point in Chinese history as it marked the end of over two millennia of imperial rule in China and led to the establishment of the Republic of China. The revolution was fueled by widespread discontent with the Qing Dynasty due to corruption, foreign domination, and social inequality.

The immediate catalyst for the revolution was the Wuchang Uprising, which escalated into a broader movement that gathered support from various reformist, revolutionary, and nationalist factions across the country. The success of the revolution culminated in the abdication of the last Qing emperor, Puyi, in early 1912, effectively dismantling the imperial structure and resulting in the formation of a republic, a new political system characterized by attempts at modernization and governance that sought to address the needs and aspirations of the Chinese populace.

In contrast, the Boxer Rebellion was an anti-foreign movement occurring in 1900 that aimed to expel foreign influences but did not directly overthrow the Qing Dynasty. The May Fourth Movement was a cultural and intellectual movement that rose in response to national humiliation following World War I, and while it significantly impacted Chinese society and politics, it occurred several years after the Xinhai Revolution.