The Invincible Army of 19th Century China: Foreign Mercenaries and Qing Imperial Officials

Author: (American) Richard Smith
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-02-01
Features: Professor Richard Smith of modern Chinese history delves into the documentary records of both China and the West, challenging several common arguments about the role of Westerners during China's turbulent 19th century. He uncovers the competition and conspiracies hidden beneath the facade of the "cooperation policy," reveals the complex motivations behind Western officials' military aid to China, and shows how the supposedly weak and submissive Qing government unexpectedly succeeded in resisting foreign pressure, controlling "barbarian" mercenaries, and making the Westerners unknowingly comply with Chinese intentions.
The legendary exploits of the Ever-Victorious Army led by Frederick Townsend Ward and Charles George Gordon during the Taiping Rebellion (1850-1864) have been described in detail many times. Yet, few have placed this foreign-led force within the broader historical framework of traditional Chinese culture, late Qing social and political systems, Sino-Western relations, and Chinese military reforms. This book examines the Ever-Victorious Army within this wider and more profound historical process, providing an unprecedentedly detailed account of its origins, development, organization, management, and achievements.
Professor Richard Smith of modern Chinese history delves into the documentary records of both China and the West, challenging several common arguments about the role of Westerners during China's turbulent 19th century. He uncovers the competition and conspiracies hidden beneath the facade of the "cooperation policy," reveals the complex motivations behind Western officials' military aid to China, and shows how the supposedly weak and submissive Qing government unexpectedly succeeded in resisting foreign pressure, controlling "barbarian" mercenaries, and making the Westerners unknowingly comply with Chinese intentions.
Author Richard Smith conducted an enlightening empirical study on foreign assistance in Chinese administrative affairs, using comparative methods to examine how the Ever-Victorious Army was not only related to other Sino-foreign joint institutions such as the Imperial Maritime Customs Service and the Li-Hope Naval Division but was also linked to the locally produced institutional reforms, such as the "temporary" Chinese armies usually referred to as "brave camps." Additionally, he places China's hiring of foreigners within the context of a long historical evolution and cultural crossroads. These comparative studies show that the Ever-Victorious Army differs greatly from common understanding—it is a product of Chinese tradition and a reflection of the unique Chinese political and social environment.
The history of the Ever-Victorious Army reflects, in many ways, the extreme hardships and setbacks experienced by China's military reforms with Western assistance from the Taiping Rebellion period to the First Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895).