The Journey of Sun Yat-sen

From Student to Revolutionary Leader

In the late 1800s, China was facing many problems. Foreign powers were growing stronger, and the Qing dynasty was losing control. At this time, a boy named Sun Yat-sen was growing up in Guangdong Province. He would later be called the “Father of Modern China.”

Sun Yat-sen was born in 1866 into a farming family. Life was not easy, but his parents wanted him to learn. As a teenager, Sun went to school in Hawaii, where his brother lived. There he studied English, math, and science. He also learned about democracy and freedom—ideas that were new in China then. These ideas made a strong impression on him.

Later, Sun returned to China to study medicine in Hong Kong. He became a doctor, but helping a few patients did not feel like enough. He believed the whole country needed to be “healed.” He saw poverty, corruption, and weakness under the Qing rulers. He started to think that China needed big reform.

Sun shared his ideas with friends. He believed China should not have an emperor, but a government chosen by the people. This was a risky idea. He and his supporters formed secret groups to fight against the Qing. They raised money, made plans, and tried uprisings. Most early attempts failed, and Sun lived in exile, traveling to Japan, the United States, and Europe to find support.

Even after many failures, Sun did not give up. He spoke to Chinese communities abroad and asked them to support a new China. His message was simple: China should be strong, free, and modern. He explained his “Three Principles of the People”: nationalism (independence from foreign powers), democracy (a government of the people), and the people’s livelihood (improving daily life for ordinary citizens).

In 1911, a chance for change came. A group of revolutionaries started an uprising in Wuchang. The revolution spread quickly, and within weeks the Qing Dynasty collapsed. It was the end of more than 2,000 years of imperial rule. Sun Yat-sen was chosen as the first provisional president of the new Republic of China.

Sun knew the work was not finished. The new republic was weak and divided, but he had given China a new beginning. He kept working for unity and reform until his death in 1925. Even though he did not see all of his dreams realized, he is remembered for his vision and determination.

Today, Sun Yat-sen is honored in many places. Statues, schools, and parks carry his name. His story shows how one person’s ideas and persistence can change a nation—and inspire future generations to keep building a better society.

Comprehension Questions

Answer these questions about Sun Yat-sen and the 1911 Revolution.

1. What problems did China face in the late 1800s, and where did Sun Yat-sen grow up?
2. What ideas did Sun learn while studying in Hawaii, and how did they influence him?
3. Why did Sun leave medicine to focus on politics and reform?
4. What are the Three Principles of the People, in simple words?
5. What happened in 1911, and what role did Sun Yat-sen play afterward?