The Rise and Fall of an Officer Corps: The Republic of China Military, 1942-1955

The People's Republic of China is the only large country in the world that does not have a "national" military; its military answers only to a political party, the Chinese Communist Party. Between 1942 and 1955, a cadre of highly trained, nationalistic, and cosmopolitan Chinese officers created a professional, depoliticized military, a force that could effectively represent the aspirations of China as a world power. Eric Setzekorn's book, The Rise and Fall of an Officer Corps, charts the development of this new army as a critical cultural and political force with extensive connections to foreign powers. However, the army-building project failed due to a renewed politicization of military forces, marked by a purge of key military leaders in 1955 by Chiang Kai-shek and his KMT party. Setzekorn's work highlights broader patterns of military transformation during the pivotal period from World War II through the early Cold War and is critical to understanding China's rise as a military and world power.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 06 September 2022
Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press

The People's Republic of China stands as a unique global anomaly, as it is the sole major nation without a "national" military. Instead, its military is solely accountable to a political party, the Chinese Communist Party. However, during a brief period in the mid-twentieth century, China possessed the potential to establish a professional, apolitical military force. This transformative journey is explored in depth in The Rise and Fall of an Officer Corps, a captivating account of China's military history.

Between 1942 and 1955, a cohort of highly skilled, nationalistic, and cosmopolitan Chinese officers embarked on a remarkable endeavor to create a professional, depoliticized military. This transformative initiative was driven by the vision of a nation aspiring to become a global power. Author Eric Setzekorn, drawing upon a wealth of archival sources and Chinese military journals, meticulously charts the development of this new army as a critical cultural and political force with extensive connections to foreign powers.

During this pivotal period, military officers played a central role in an intergovernmental partnership between the United States and the Republic of China. This partnership provided officers with access to educational opportunities and technological transfers, aligning with their professional ideals. General Sun Li-jen, an American-educated Chinese army officer, serves as a poignant illustration of the rise of this new sense of professionalism. Setzekorn's account showcases the trajectory of General Sun's career, highlighting the ascent of this professional ethos and its subsequent decline after 1953.

However, the army-building project faced a significant setback when it encountered a renewed politicization of military forces. In 1955, under the leadership of Chiang Kai-shek and his Koumintang (KMT) party, a purge of key military leaders occurred, marking a turning point in China's military history. This purge signaled a shift away from the professionalization efforts and towards a more authoritarian approach to military governance.

By delving into this critical chapter of Chinese military history, Setzekorn's work not only sheds light on the specific events and circumstances that shaped the military's trajectory but also highlights broader patterns of military transformation. The Rise and Fall of an Officer Corps offers valuable insights into the complex interplay between politics, culture, and the military, providing a rich tapestry of historical understanding.

Weight: 406g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780806191201