[2] However, the Anhui Clique would grow to be defined by the policy of Unification By Force, which would was the strategy of uniting North and South China through military conquest rather than peaceful negotiation.
[2] Because the Anhui clique organized itself very early, it was more politically sophisticated than its warlord rivals, with an associated civilian wing being organised as the Anfu Club.
In 1916, after the death of Yuan Shikai and ending of the Constitutional Protection War, Premier Duan Qirui would become Premier of the Republic, with Li Yuanhong serving as the President of the Republic, Li Yuanhong acted as a puppet of Duan Qirui due to him being easily manipulated essentially giving the Anhui Clique almost complete control over the Beiyang Government.
The Anhui clique advocated for a hardline approach during the Constitutional Protection War, giving the revolutionaries his political support as Duan Qirui sought to become the President of the Republic.
After the death of Yuan Shikai and his abdication of the Hongxiang Emperor the Beiyang government was restored to which Duan Qirui served as premier under the presidency of Li Yuanhong; Effectively giving Duan Qirui the leadership of China by controlling the weak President, the Clique would only rise in terms of power until 1920.
Formed on 7 March 1918 by Xu Shuzheng and Wang Yitang, it ran for elections for the northern National Assembly and won three-fourths of the seats primarily because Anhui warlords bought the votes.
[3] The Anhui Clique, as opposed to their civilian partners in the Anfu Club, was primarily an association of generals and military governors.
Other provinces such as Xinjiang, Shanxi, and Fengtian were politically associated with the Anhui Clique during 1918-1919 as their provincial delegations in the National Assembly were part of the Anfu Club.
段祺瑞 - Negotiated the Nishihara Loans with Japan in exchange for Shandong Concession, triggering the May Fourth Movement 徐樹錚 - Led expedition that reconquered Mongolia and temporarily brought it back under control 段芝貴 靳雲鵬 王揖唐 盧永祥 何丰林 - Subordinate of Lu Yongxiang 張敬堯 - Assassinated in 1933 after he became involved with the Japanese plot to enthrone Puyi as emperor of Manchukuo 吳光新 - Governor of Hunan: 1920[6] 倪嗣衝 曲同豊 陳樹藩 張廣建 李厚基 杨善德 王永泉 - Governor of Fujian: 1922 马良 - Creator of New Wushu form of Martial Arts [citation needed] 鄭士琦 杨宇霆 - Staff Officer of the Northwest Frontier Defence Army [9]