中國｜辛亥革命

資料A

以下取自1915年日耳曼地區發行的一張明信片。

資料B

以下取自一本歷史書。

1916 年 1 月 1 日本應是一個新時代的開始，袁世凱厚顏無恥地將其命名為「洪憲」，意思是「光榮憲法」。相反，中國似乎面臨著從內部崩潰迫在眉睫的危險。為了與袁的誤算保持距離，外國列強撤回了對他的君主政體的支持，這種背叛對袁來說一定是特別痛苦的。在過去的一年裡，他用領土和主權進 行了交易，同意給予日本山東和滿洲的特權，俄羅斯在蒙古的特權，英國在西藏的特權，以換取列強默許他稱帝的計畫。

最終，他從國外獲得的微薄支持無法抵銷他在國內政治資本上所付出的代價。在中國，人們對袁世 凱為追求其君主願景而揮霍無度的行為更加憤怒，其中包括從景德鎮禦窯訂購的一套四萬件瓷器， 以及賒購的兩件皇袍，每件價值近四十萬元，令他的政府對外國銀行和政府陷入更深的債務。

面對日增的反對，袁世凱削減了帝國珠寶的預算，並無限期推遲了他的加冕日期。相反，在1月2日，袁世凱在宮殿裡舉行了一場小型儀式，洪憲時代正式開始。

(a) 根據資料A，推論1915年中國的國際地位。

(3分)

(b) 袁世凱的稱帝夢在中國有多受歡迎？根據資料B，解釋你的答案。

(4分)

(c) 「即使在1911年辛亥革命之後，中國面臨問題的本質也沒有改變。」評論此說能否成立。試參考資料A及B，並就你所知，解釋你的答案。

(8分)

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Source A

The following is adapted from a postcard published by an German region.

中國送給奧地利的禮物：The gift from China to Austria

中國滿大人：閣下，也許您想要我們的辮子？：Chinese Manchu: Sir, perhaps you would like our braids?

奧地利外交官：謝謝，我們已經受夠了！：Austria diplomat: Thank you, we have had enough!

Source B

The following is adapted from a history book.

January 1, 1916, was supposed to be the start of a new era, but Yuan Shikai shamelessly named it "Hongxian," meaning "Glorious Constitution." Instead, China seemed to be in imminent danger of internal collapse. Wishing to distance themselves from Yuan's miscalculations, foreign powers withdrew their support for his monarchy, a betrayal that must have been particularly bitter for him. Over the previous year, he had traded territory and sovereignty, agreeing to grant Japan privileges in Shandong and Manchuria, Russia privileges in Mongolia, and Britain privileges in Tibet, in exchange for tacit approval of his plans to become emperor.

Ultimately, the meager support he received from abroad could not offset the domestic political capital he lost. In China, people were increasingly angered by Yuan Shikai's extravagant behavior in pursuing his monarchical vision, which included ordering a set of 40,000 pieces of porcelain from the Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln and purchasing two imperial robes on credit, each worth nearly 400,000 yuan, plunging his government deeper into debt to foreign banks and governments.

Faced with rising opposition, Yuan Shikai cut the budget for imperial jewelry and postponed his coronation date indefinitely. Instead, on January 2, Yuan Shikai held a small ceremony in the palace, and the Hongxian era officially began.

(a) With reference to Source A, infer the international status of China in 1915.

 (3 marks)

(b) How popular was Yuan Shikai’s dream of becoming emperor in China? Explain your answer with relevant clues from Source B.

 (4 marks)

(c) ‘Even after the 1911 revolution, the nature of problems China was facing did not change.’ Comment on the validity of the statement. Explain your answer with reference to Sources A and B, and using your own knowledge.

 (8 marks)

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Answer