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

Meanwhile, 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 Province. The plot failed, however, leading to the arrest of some of the martyrs and the Ch'ing government's 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, 1911.

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

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