The first President of the Republic of China after the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1912 was Sun Yat-sen. A key figure in the movement to overthrow imperial rule, Sun Yat-sen played a significant role in the 1911 Revolution that led to the establishment of the Republic. His presidency was marked by his vision of a modern, democratic China, which included the promotion of nationalism, democracy, and the livelihood of the people, encapsulated in his "Three Principles of the People." Although his time in office was short and fraught with challenges, Sun remains a foundational figure in modern Chinese history.