Warlord Era

The Warlord Era in China (1916-1928) was a period marked by fragmentation and instability following the fall of the Qing Dynasty. After Emperor Puyi’s abdication, regional military leaders, known as warlords, vied for power, controlling different parts of the country through military strength rather than central government authority. This led to widespread chaos, economic decline, and local conflicts. Efforts by national leaders, like the Northern Expedition, aimed to reunify China under a central government, gradually ending the era. The period highlights the challenges China faced in unifying and stabilizing after imperial collapse.