Final answer:
Sun Yat-sen's primary goal for revolution was to overthrow the Qing dynasty and establish a modern Chinese republic based on Nationalism, Democracy, and the People’s Livelihood. Despite overthrowing the Qing through the Xinhai Revolution, his efforts to create a new stable government were challenged by warlords, leading to an unstable political landscape.
Step-by-step explanation:
Dr. Sun Yat-sen, often hailed as the Father of the Nation, had a clear goal when he called for revolution in China. His primary ambition was to overthrow the Qing dynasty and establish a modern Chinese republic. Sun's vision encompassed ending the imperial rule that had persisted for centuries and creating a government based on the principles of Nationalism, Democracy, and the People’s Livelihood, which were part of his Three Principles of the People. Through the Xinhai Revolution in 1911, Sun and his revolutionaries were able to topple the Qing Empire, paving the way for a republic. However, their efforts to consolidate a unified and effective central government were thwarted by the rise of warlords, leading to a period of considerable instability and the eventual split between the Nationalist and Communist forces in China.
In the following years, despite the initial setbacks, Sun Yat-sen continued to work towards the consolidation of the Chinese republic through the Kuomintang (Nationalist) Party, promoting modernization and seeking to rid China of foreign influence, whether it be Japanese or European colonial powers. His success was limited during his lifetime, as the chaotic political landscape of China at the time mired his aspirations. Nevertheless, Sun's ideas provided the ideological foundation for both the Nationalists and the Communists, contributing significantly to the shaping of modern China.