The Beiyang Warlords: War and Politics
| 26/10/2018 - 23/1/2019 Jointly presented by Organised by The Beiyang warlords were one of the extremely influential military and political powers in modern Chinese history which began in 1895 with Yuan Shikai training soldiers in Xiaozhan, Tianjin. While he expanded his influence through military build-up, he placed his trusted aides in the central and local governments. Over time, the Beiyang warlords headed by Yuan Shikai, powerful enough to influence the politics of the late Qing and early Republican periods, was formed. Following Yuan's death from illness in 1916, no one with the same strength and imposing reputation could take his place as leader. As a result, the Beiyang warlords split into the Anhui, Zhili and Fengtian cliques. Each clique took turns to rule the north. The Beiyang warlords ceased to exist as a viable political force when the Northern Expedition of the Nationalist Party succeeded in 1928. The rise and development of the Beiyang warlords, meanwhile, shed light on the complex political situation of modern China. Tianjin Museum has generously supported this exhibition with the loan of 70 invaluable relics. These, along with items from the collections of the Hong Kong Museum of History, the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and collectors, will illustrate the rise and development of the Beiyang warlords. We hope visitors can gain a better understanding of this tumultuous period of political instability and conflicts among warlords, as well as China's political development in the late Qing and early Republican periods. Minister of Beiyang Public Guided Tours (in Cantonese) Every Wed, Sat, Sun and public holidays |  Postcard depicting Yuan Shikai in new military uniform in the late Qing dynasty Collection of Mr Fung Kam-piu  A report on the Taihu Autumn Military Exercise in 1908 and a commemorative cup for the Yongping Autumn Military Exercise in 1911, which bear testimony to the autumn military exercise in the late Qing period. Collection of Tianjin Museum  An officer's sword decorated with nine lions used during the Republican period Collection of Tianjin Museum  Plaque bearing the words "shan yu ren tong" (charity brings happiness to the giver)", presented to Tung Wah Hospital by Feng Guozhang, 1918. Collection of Tung Wah Group of Hospitals  1st Class Order of Golden Grain Collection of Mr Kwok King-cheung  Commemorative coin for the establishment of the constitution of the Republic of China, 1924. Collection of Hong Kong Museum of History |
