National Protection War

National Protection War
Date 25 December 1915 – 14 July 1916 Location Southwest, South and East China Result National Protection Army victory Abdication of Yuan Shikai
Belligerents
Empire of China	Republic of China
Commanders and leaders
Yuan Shikai Zhang Jingyao Cao Kun Feng Yuxiang Lu Jianzhang	Cai E Tang Jiyao Liang Qichao Li Liejun Lu Rongting
Strength
700,000+	200,000+

The National Protection War (simplified Chinese: 护国战争; traditional Chinese: 護國戰爭; pinyin: Hù guó zhànzhēng), also known as the anti-Monarchy War, was a civil war that took place in China between 1915 and 1916. Only three years earlier, the last Chinese dynasty, the Qing Dynasty, had been overthrown and a Republic of China established in its place. The cause of the war was the proclamation by Yuan Shikai, the Republic's President, of himself as a new Emperor. In Yunnan province, military leaders including Tang Jiyao, Cai E, and Li Liejun declared their independence and launched expeditions against Yuan. Yuan's army experienced several defeats which led other provinces in the south to declare independence as well. Eventually, under immense pressure from the entire nation, Yuan Shikai was forced to abdicate. He died a few months later.

After Yuan Shikai plotted the assassination in 1913 of Song Jiaoren, a prominent leader of the Kuomintang, Sun Yat-sen launched the Second Revolution (Chinese: 二次革命) against Yuan. It was unsuccessful, and Sun was forced to flee to Japan while the Kuomintang was dissolved. Between August and December 1915, supporters of Yuan began to clamour for the restoration of a Chinese monarchy. On December 12, Yuan declared himself emperor of the Chinese Empire under the era name Hongxian. The new empire was due to formally launch on January 1, when he intended to conduct the accession rites.

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