ABSTRACT
U NDER YUAN SHIKAI'S presidency the Women's Movement expired and the new Republic itself proved moribund. Yuan moved the capital of the Republic to Beijing - his power base in 1913, attempted to restore the feudal system and made plans to become emperor. 1 He outlawed the Nationalist Party and dissolved Parliament in 1914. Finally, in 1916, he set himself up as Emperor of China. His 'reign' was shortlived since he died in June 1916 and warlords plunged China into decades of turmoiU The demise of the Republic and the subsequent political disarray led to a further critical re-evaluation of China's entire cultural heritage 3 in the form of two major movements - the New Culture Movement of 1915 and the May Fourth Movement of 1919. Both Movements comprise the May Fourth Era.
