清末新军建设的历史思考

Review on Construction of the New Army in Late Qin Dynasty

从 2 0世纪中国军队近代化的宏观角度看 ,清末新军建设不仅编练了一支新型的近代化军队 ,而且带来了中国军事制度的根本性变革 ,堪称中国军事近代化的肇端。从清王朝练军自救的微观角度看 ,新军却变成了王朝的掘墓人 ,不能说新军建设不是一次惨重的失败。封建主义的国家机体难以移植资本主义的军事制度 ;落后的农业经济承受不起近代化军队建设的重负 ;动荡的末代政局无法保障军制改革和军队建设的顺利进行 。

From the macro viewpoint to study the construction of Chinese army in the 20th century, the construction of this army in late Qin Dynasty not only formed a contemporary army, but also brought about the radical changes in Chinese military system. Therefore this could be considered as the beginning of military modernization in China. From the micro viewpoint to review the construction of this army for defense, however, this army had become the gravedigger of Qin Dynasty. No one can deny the fact that its construction is a catastrophe. The three major causes of the failure of this army are as follows: (1) the military system of capitalist countries could not be transplanted to feudal China, (2) the backward agricultural economy could not support the cost of military modernization and (3) the unstable political environment could not ensure both the smooth operation of the military reform and construction.