The Rise of Chinese Military Power, 1895-1912

Dust jacket notes: "The breakdown of the monarchic system and the success of the Chinese Revolution of 1911 was due largely to the growth of semi-private armies and the rise of the militarists to a position that enabled them to seize power. The basic objectives of this study are twofold: first, to portray the weaknesses of the traditional armed forces - as evidenced by their failure to suppress the Taiping Rebellion or to defend China against Western troops in the Opium and Arrow Wars; and second, to trace the modernization of the Chinese Army and to evaluate the progress attained. The author shows that the modernization process - involving the hiring of Western instructors - was the first aspect of Chinese society to reflect markedly the impact of Western civilization. He shows further how closely political events in China were related to the development of the military. Ralph Powell served as military analyst in China during 1946-47 and is presently on leave from the history department at Princeton University as a professor at the National War College. His book will be of interest not only to students of military affairs but to all those interested in modern China and its role in world affairs."