The Wuch'ang Uprising

After the the 72 Revolutionary Martyrs of Huanghuakang righteously and courageously went to their death , revolutionary sentiments swelled across the land, gaining power and momentum with each passing day. Supporters of the movement spread word through the Yangtze River basin area to coordinate its uprising with the New Army.

At this same time, the Ch'ing government was attempting to nationalize the private railways, a move which brought universal protest from the people. And when the court ordered its troops to summarily execute those who disobeyed, popular rage was stirred to new heights. Feeling that the moment was ripe, the Wuch'ang New Army began to move, entreating Huang Hsing to instigate rebellion in Hupei. The plot failed, however, leading to the arrest of some of the martyrs and seizure of party name lists. When the New Army heard of this news, there was no turning back, so it spearheaded the revolution on October 10.

Tsai Chi-min led the public in a bombardment of the Mancho Viceroy's office. When Viceroy Jui-cheng and Commander Chang Piao heard the sound of gunfire, they disappeared without a trace. Without their Commander, the Ch'ing troops fell into disorder allowing the New Army to completely occupy the three city Wuhan area within a few days. Hunan, Kwangtung, Kwangsi, and five other provinces joined in revolt, and before a month had passed more than 10 provinces had been liberated by the revolutionary army. The Ch'ing government was overthrown soon after and Asia's first democracy was founded(The Republic of China.