A Military History of Modern China

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A Military History of Modern China From the Manchu Conquest to Tian'anmen Square

Peter Worthing

Book Code: C8780

ISBN: 0-275-98780-9

ISBN-13: 978-0-275-98780-0

DOI:

240 pages, 5 maps

Praeger Security International General Interest-Cloth

Publication: 9/30/2007

List Price: $49.95 (UK Sterling Price: £27.95)

Availability: In Stock

Media Type: Hardcover

Also Available: Ebook

Trim Size: 6 1/8 x 9 1/4

Subjects:

Reviews:

Armed struggle has played an important role throughout the history of China. The majority of China's imperial dynasties rose and fell due to success or defeat upon the battlefield. The 20th century saw the conflict between Nationalist and Communist forces that resulted in today's divided China: the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) and Taiwan. It also witnessed China's intervention in the Korean War and border clashes with its neighbors India, the Soviet Union, and Vietnam. Worthing offers a basic introduction to the military history of China from the Shang Dynasty (c. 1750-1050 BCE) to the present, intended for both specialists and casual readers. The text's 14 chapters are organized along thematic and chronological lines, e.g., "Warlords and the Northern Expedition, 1916-1927," "The Chinese Civil War, 1945-1949," and "The Chinese Military since 1980." Worthing focuses on recurring issues, such as the military as the arbiter of internal and external security, significant military campaigns, and the ongoing effort to acquire weapon systems that would allow the PRC to compete militarily with the major Western powers, notably the US. Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduate and graduate collections.
—Choice April 2008
Peter Worthing's book is a welcome addition to the literature on modern China. In cogent, brisk chapters, he takes on a huge subject, and covers it with great thoroughness. His book will give the Chinese military its proper place in modern Chinese history, and in international military history, as part of the Praeger series on military history. Worthing's book will also provide, for the many non-academics who need to know about the Chinese military, an excellent introduction to the contemporary Chinese military and its origins.
—War in History 2008

Description: War and the military have played central roles in shaping modern Chinese history. As Worthing demonstrates, the consequences of war and defeat, in both internal and external conflicts, have largely determined the course of history in China, especially in the period since the rise of the Manchu dynasty in the 17th century. Understanding the military history of China is, therefore, essential to an understanding of the Chinese state that is now emerging as a 21st-century military and economic power. Organized chronologically, this book is divided into three sections designed to reveal the manner in which war and the military have influenced the course of Chinese history. The first section, Imperial China, underscores the importance of war in China by dealing with the Manchu conquest and military rule over China, the developing technology gap between China and the West, the devastating defeats at the hands of Western powers in the 19th century, and early attempts at military reform and modernization.
The second section, Republican China, traces important military reforms that gave rise to a revolutionary movement, the overthrow of the monarchy, and attempts to establish a democratic republic. The military played a dominant role in the search for a viable, modern political state during this period, which saw intense fighting between independent "warlords," contending political parties that used military force against their rivals, and a Japanese invasion.
The third section, People's Republic of China, reveals the critical role of the military and warfare in the period after the Chinese Communist Party came to power. It explores the Chinese Communist role in the Korean War, border clashes with the Soviet Union, India, and Vietnam, changes in military doctrine, organization, and technology, the People's Liberation Army's violent suppression of the 1989 student demonstrations, and the military situation in the Taiwan Straits. The book also includes a section on modern military reform, acquisition of military technology, and relations with Taiwan.

LC Card Number: 2007020657

LCC Class: DS754

Dewey Class: 355

PDF Catalogs:
PSI Public Library Spring 2008.pdf	PSI Catalog Fall 2008.pdf
Academic Library Fall 2008.pdf


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