The military dimension of the Chinese revolution : the New Army and its role in the Revolution of 1911

Abstract

Despite a growing body of literature on reform and revolution in late Qing China relatively little has been written about the New Army and its role in the Revolution of 1911. This book fills the gap with a description of the military reform which led to the establishment of the New Army and the relationships of the New Army with the social order. The book also investigates a previously neglected area, the disaffection of the army and its direct contribution to the revolution. The state of the army in a number of provinces is examined, showing that there was widespread discontent and the loyalty of the troops, with a few exceptions, was highly suspect. This discontent arose for a number of reasons, of which revolutionary influence was only one. Dr Fung contends that the New Army, despite its weaknesses, marked a significant stage in the development of Chinese military power, and that the opening phase of the revolution was determined by its disaffection. It was only after the army had shown the way in six provinces that the already rebellious constitutionalists and provincial assemblymen threw in their lot with the revolutionaries. Their collaboration with the army officers contributed to the rapid collapse of the Manchu power. Show more