Militia and Local Militarization

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Reading in turn 9/28/2011 Militia and Local Militarization

-Initially began with single-village militias, than broadly based joint militias, and eventually it turned into regional armies.

-When the Central Government asked the gentry to form militias to help fight in the various rebellions, the lost a lot of their power to the local elites.

-From that point on the gentry were legitimized by their militias.

-Militias appear randomly from the rebellions to the formation of the New Republic.

-They were typically activated during times of political upheaval and social unrest to protect their homes, families, and gentry from outside threats.

-After the Qing dynasty fell there was a large resurgence of militias to fight an increasing number of bandits that either fled from the warlords’ armies, or were stealing out of starvation, and no opportunity to work.

-Another reason they were disbanded is because the locals could not afford to pay for them when there was no need.