The Fujianese revolutionaries, 1895-1911

After the First Sino-Japanese War of 1894-5, Fujian became a target of political and economic pressure from Japan, Britain, the United States and Germany. In the early twentieth century, the province appeared in danger of being partitioned by foreign powers. Although the Qing court made great efforts to maintain its sovereignty and carry out reforms, it suffered one defeat after another at the hands of the foreign powers, which resulted in further loss of rights. T h e Fujianese, like their compatriots elsewhere, gradually lost confidence in the Qing government and held it responsible for national misfortune and humiliation. This gave rise to increasing discontent and resentment.1 This chapter examines the Fujianese revolutionary leaders and their followers, w h o were the vanguard of the anti-Qing movement, in the context of their social background, in order to provide a clear picture of the rise and development of the revolutionary movement in Fujian Province.