Guofu (國父)

After the death of Sun Yat-sen on March 12th in 1925, there were voices that request to call him as Guofu(國父). Among the first popular open request was from an article on March 15th, 1925 in the Shenbao (申報). This marked a major shift in the attitudes during the lifetime when Sun was often addressed as Sun Wen (孫文), or by referring to his office title of zongli (總理), or dayuanshuai (大元帥). The title of Guofu was commonly used as a standard epithet. Soon it became an adopted phrase. This new title was used in telegrams about the funeral of Sun, and also in propaganda sheets. But for the moment this was a new title on top of Sun's name, rather then replacing it. Sun's funeral party in Beijing was a huge gathering, we could see slogans such as "Long live Sun Zhongshan's thought!", "Long live the people's revolution!", "Down with imperialism!", and "Down with the warlords!". The popular acceptance of Sun as a national hero was part of a new and radical way to look at society and politics of the time when there were warlords, imperialism and factional competition inside the contemporary National Party. Later this party used the imperialism-warlord analysis of society as a framework to legitimize itself and gather support. Sun's death had attracted public enthusiasm and recognition that he was unable to gather earlier. His death, often attributed to overwork, and his final testament, which put emphasis on the revolution, had added to public enthusiasm. It was against such a background that Nationalist Party continued to build up its popular support. Sun's death hastened thousands to join the Party, in particular during the period of the May Thirtieth Movement that would soon take place and push popular nationalism to a new high. For various reasons Sun's spirit lived on. Any connection with him as a relative or a former comrade would become an invaluable asset for a political figure. Sun also became central to the Nationalist's Party's claims to political legitimacy.

Reference
1.Henrietta Harrison. The Making of the Republican Citizen: Political Ceremonies and Symbols in China 1911-1929 .NY:Oxford University Press, 2000