Constitutional Protection Movement

The Constitutional Protection Movement (Chinese: 護法運動/护法运动)) was a series of movements led by Sun Yat-sen to resist the Beiyang Government between 1917 and 1922, in which Sun re-established another government in Guangzhou as a result. It was known as the Third Revolution by the Kuomintang. The constitution that it intended to protect refers to the Provisional Constitution of the Republic of China.

After the Xinhai Revolution in 1911, the newly established Republic of China, pursuant to its Provisional Constitution, held the first parliamentary election in February 1913, which then convened as the National Assembly of the Republic of China for the first time on April 8. The Kuomintang won a majority of the seats, and Song Jiaoren was designated to form the cabinet. He was assassinated by President Yuan Shikai shortly after, however, prompting the Kuomintang to call for the Second Revolution. Yuan Shikai repressed the resistance with force, forcing Sun Yat-sen and other leaders of the Kuomintang to flee abroad to Japan.

Yuan Shikai dissolved the parliament as well as abolishing the Provisional Constitution, eventually trying to become emperor. On December 1915, Cai E and others launched the National Protection War against Yuan Shikai and achieved success. Yuan Shikai was forced to abdicate and died on June 6, 1916.

After the death of Yuan Shikai, Li Yuanhong succeeded him as president. Duan Qirui was re-appointed prime minister, and the old parliament was restored. However, Li and Duan had a major disagreement shortly after on whether or not to enter World War I and declare war on Germany. Duan insisted on joining the war while Li and the parliament were more guarded on the matter. Li Yuanhong removed Duan from office and called for national military support. Monarchist general Zhang Xun took the opportunity to enter Beijing with force. He then dissolved the parliament and attempted to restore Puyi and the Qing Dynasty on July 1, in what is known as the Manchu Restoration. The restoration was repressed by Duan Qirui five days later. Li resigned from the presidency and was succeeded by Feng Guozhang. Duan re-established the new government and, with Liang Qichao, convoked a new senate.

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