* Child Emperor couldn't govern
* Massive budget deficit to pay for reforms and reparations from Boxer Rising
* New armies phased in to replace traditional banner armies - expensive
* Increased taxes necessary
* Torrential rains in 1910-11 lost Mandate of Heaven - grain prices rose, vast numbers died, cities filled with homeless peasants.
* Agitation around railway building triggered some revolts
* Wuchang Uprising (1911): marks beginning of revolution - first major city the Manchu authorities lost control of.