Sun Yat-sen's reforms, aimed at restructuring political power, had borne some fruit. Yuan Shikai ascended to the presidency as promised, and a cabinet-centered political system appeared to be taking root. But the real challenge lay ahead: determining the nation's path for development.
Unlike the independent states, the Republic was home to many intellectuals who advocated change. Yet the vast majority of the farming population opposed such reforms, just as they had under the Qing.
The Republic now faced the same existential question that had plagued the Qing: Should they endure short-term hardships for the sake of long-term progress, or settle for immediate stability and delay development?
The latter option, when compared to the rapid advancements of other nations, was akin to regression.
