In 1912, Yuan Shikai would become the interim President of the new Republic of China. However, despite the hope heaped on him, his 3 year term would be marked by assassination, authoritarian power consolidation, and his founding of a new imperial dynasty.

Despite some accomplishments, this disastrous term would poison the well of Chinese representative government, destroying any real chance of actual power sharing or rule of law for decades.

In this episode we discuss the how and the why. Was Yuan Shikai simply a power hungry autocrat who had bidden their time, or was he a deluded old man who would not compromise his vision of China's future.

Probably a little of both!

Two available biographies of Yuan Shikai in English:
Yuan Shikai: A Reappraisal by Patrick Fuliang Shan
Yuan Shih-K'Ai by Jerome Ch'En