An Overview Of The Third Division Of Beiyang Army

The Third Division of Beiyang Army's the precursor is the Third Division of Beiyang Standing Army. The troop has a long history and stimulate over a long period of time in the history stage of Qing Dynasty and Republic of China. Many historical affairs of republic period are closely related with the Third Division.Chapter One mainly describes the background of establishment of the Third Division of Beiyang Army. In the late Qing Dynasty, China encountered fiasco in Jiawu War. The government realized that old type troops could be hardly depended on, hence started training a new army in Tianjin. New army firstly was taken over by Hu Yufen, then was be controlled by Yuan Shikai. Yuan named the troop"New Set-up Army", soon it became"Wu Wei Right Army". After Yuan Shikai was appointed the governor of Zhili province, he began to train Beiyang Standing Army. In 1904, the Third Division of Beiyang Standing Army was founded, and it was the predecessor of the Third Division of Beiyang Army.Chapter Two mainly describes the general structure of the Third Division, such as the weapon equipments,the source of military officers. At that time the government paid much attention to the Third Division. The army had about 12000 soldiers. The weapon was mainly bought from foreign countries. The military officers mainly came from Beiyang modern style schools. The officers system of the Third Division differed from old type troops, mainly stimulating German army's structure.Chapter Three and Chapter Four mainly discuss the function of the Third Division in the history stage and the wars it experienced. From foundation, the Third Division was always the core forces of the Beiyang Government. It had strong fighting strength and progressively carried out each policy of the Beiyang government. In February, 1912, the Third Division launched mutiny in Beijing and made northern situation turbulent. It matched the intention of Yuan Shikai oppressing Nanjing provisional government. The Nanking provisional government finally conceded and agreed that Yuan could take office in Beijing. In 1914, the Beiyang government sent the Third Division to Hunan and kept close watch on anti-Yuan forces in Yangtze River. The Third Division matched Hunan and Guangxi authorities and cracked down much revolution against Yuan Shikai. In the beginning of 1916, the Third Division was the main forces fighting against Cai E leading Huguo Army. The war kept on for a few months and the Third Division suppressed the offensive of Huguo Army. In 1917, the Third Division participated to quell Zhang Xun restoring monarchy. In 1918, it headed south to crack down the campaign of Protecting Law Army, and successively defeated Li Tiancai and the Shi Xingchuan's army, and occupied Xiangyang and Yichang. Then it was sent to Hunan, and recovered Yueyang,Changsha and Hengyang. Henceforth, the Third Division initiated armistice between north and south. Soon the Third Division lived in Hengyang for a long time, and it availably mollified the antinomy between north and south. In 1920, because of Zhi-Wan antinomy arousing, both parties started to appeal to war. The Third Division was main force of Zhi warlords, and withdrew from Hengyang in May, headed north to take part in Zhi-Wan war. Soon it annihilated the crack troops of Wan warlords, and made great contribution for Zhi warlords controlling central power. After the war, Zhi and Feng warlords jointly controlled central political power, but this kind of consociation was temporary and unsteady. Because the benefits could not be assigned fairly, the antinomy of the two parties became more and more sharp. When the antinomy could not be adjusted, both parties appealed to war. In 1922, the First Zhi-Feng War broke out. The Third Division defeated the main forces of Feng warlords in Langfang and turned round the whole situation of the war and won the victory of the war. It made great contribution for Zhi warlords. After defeating Feng warlords, Zhi warlords controlled central political power alone.Chapter Five mainly discussed the process of the Third Division's failure and the reason. Because Zhi warlords promoted the policy of"unifying China with forces", and Cao Kun bribed senators for electing the president, the Zhi warlords gradually Third Division fought fiercely near Shanhaiguan, and suffered miserably. Because the Feng Yuxiang's army returned to Beijing to stage a coup, it caused Zhi warlords'army faltered disorderly. Feng army launched attack to the Zhi army, and Zhi army soon retreated. Wu Peifu leaded the rest of the Third Division to Tianjin. Feng army and Feng Yuxiang's army launched attack to Tianjin, Wu Peifu headed south by ships. The Third Division finally demolished. The reason of the failure was various, and the summary is as follow: the abruption of Zhi warlords; Zhi warlords promote"unifying China by forces"and lost people's support; Zhi warlords excessively depend on the Jinghan Railway; Zhi warlords'power was scattered.From foundation to the end, the Third Division existed nearly about 20 years. It is an important tool for Beiyang Government's rule. At the same time, it was the important guarantee that Zhi warlords fought for central political power. It once went against history current and also obtained a popular support to knock down Wan warlords and Anfu politicians. It contributed to the governance of Zhi warlords and also was demolished with the failure of Zhi warlords. The inquiry of the reason of its failure contributes to the research to the military history of Republic of China, and could also contribute to the research of Zhi warlords from a new angle of view. It also would be good to the research of the whole Beiyang warlords'history.