A Chinese warlord and politician who dominated Beijing's government during the Warlord Era, known for his attempts to reunify a fragmented China through military campaigns and political maneuvering.
Duan Qirui, a prominent Chinese warlord, politician, and commander of the Beiyang Army, left an indelible mark on the Republic of China during the late 1910s. As the effective dictator of northern China, he served as Premier on four occasions between 1913 and 1918, and later as acting Chief Executive of the Republic of China in Beijing from 1924 to 1926.
Born on March 6, 1865, in Hefei, Anhui Province, China, Duan Qirui graduated from the Tianjin Military Academy, where he honed his skills in military science. He further refined his military prowess through studies in Germany, becoming a distinguished artillery commander under Yuan Shikai.
Following the Xinhai Revolution in 1911 and the fall of the Qing dynasty, Duan Qirui became Minister of War and Premier in the Yuan cabinet. He opposed Yuan's restoration of monarchy in China and, upon Yuan's death, continued as Premier, taking effective control of northern China.
Duan's tenure was marked by political infighting and conflict with southern parliamentarians under the leadership of Sun Yatsen. In 1917, he suppressed another attempt to restore the monarchy and spearheaded China's involvement in the First World War on the side of the Allies.
Duan negotiated a series of loans with Japan, building up the Anhui clique and preparing for a conquest of the south. His secret dealings with the Japanese, including the 1918 Sino-Japanese Joint Defence Agreement, later came to light, paving the way for the May Fourth Movement in 1919.
Duan's position weakened, and he was eventually ousted from power after his defeat in the 1920 Zhili-Anhui War. He came out of retirement in 1924 to head Zhang Zuolin and Feng Yuxiang's Beiyang government but was again deposed after Zhang's victory over Feng in the Anti-Fengtian War. Duan subsequently retired to Tianjin and later settled in Shanghai, where he died on November 2, 1936.
Duan Qirui's legacy is complex, marked by both his contributions to China's modernization and his involvement in political infighting and secret dealings with foreign powers. Nevertheless, his impact on the Republic of China remains significant, shaping the country's trajectory during a tumultuous period in its history.
Born in 1875
A powerful Chinese warlord who ruled Manchuria and briefly held control of the Beijing government, known for his struggle against Japanese and Communist forces.
Born in 1874
A powerful Chinese warlord and politician who dominated northern China during the Warlord Era, known for his military prowess and attempts to reunify the country.
