1. Power Struggle: Sun Yat-sen's provisional presidency faced challenges from powerful military leaders, particularly those associated with Yuan Shikai, who commanded the Beiyang Army. Yuan controlled the bulk of China's military forces and aimed to consolidate his authority.
2. Constitutional Disagreement: Sun Yat-sen and Yuan Shikai had differing views on the nature of the new government. Sun envisioned a parliamentary system with a strong central government, while Yuan preferred a more centralized presidential system. This disagreement led to tensions between them.
3. Military Pressure: Yuan Shikai's forces surrounded Nanjing, the provisional capital, and pressured Sun Yat-sen to step down. Sun realized the futility of resisting Yuan's military might, as he lacked significant military support of his own.
4. Unification Goal: Sun Yat-sen recognized that the unification of China was paramount. He believed that by relinquishing his presidency and making concessions to Yuan Shikai, he could secure a peaceful transition of power and avoid potential civil conflict.
5. Long-term Strategy: Sun Yat-sen's resignation was a strategic move to preserve the revolutionary movement. He envisioned a gradual process of political change and was willing to step aside temporarily to prevent the outbreak of a civil war.
6. Focus on Nation-Building: Sun Yat-sen's resignation allowed him to focus on building the Kuomintang (KMT), the political party he founded. He believed that creating a strong political organization would be essential for the long-term success of the revolutionary cause.
7. Yuan's Promise of Reform: Yuan Shikai pledged to implement many of the goals espoused by Sun Yat-sen, including the adoption of a new constitution, the establishment of a parliamentary system, and the modernization of China. Sun placed faith in Yuan's promises and hoped for a smooth transition.
8. International Recognition: Sun Yat-sen's resignation also helped gain international recognition for the Republic of China. The foreign powers were more inclined to recognize a government led by Yuan Shikai, who was seen as a figure of stability and strength.
In conclusion, Sun Yat-sen's resignation was prompted by a combination of internal conflicts, military pressures, and his strategic vision for China's unification and nation-building. While he temporarily relinquished his presidency, his contributions and ideals continued to shape the course of Chinese history.