The Place of the Republic of China in Chinese Social History——A Macroscopic Look at Several Works of History of the Republic of China

Few works of history of the Republic of China make comprehensive reviews of the Republic of China. History endowed the Republic of China with a dual task: to overthrow the monarchy and establish republicanism; to abolish dictatorial politics and introduce democratic politics. Although the Republic of China fulfilled the first task, it did not establish democratic politics. The 38 years became a transitional period. Democratic politics did not take root in the minds of the Chinese, while the traditional ideas of dictatorial politics remained deep-rooted in the Chinese society. Thus, the enlightenment movement had limitations. Because of dictatorial politics, the Republic of China lost three opportunities of social modernization