Generalissimo Explained

Generalissimo[1] is a military rank of the highest degree, superior to field marshal and other five-star ranks in the states where they are used.

Usage

The word Italian: generalissimo (pronounced as /it/), an Italian term, is the absolute superlative of Italian: [[wikt:generale#Italian|generale]] ('general') thus meaning "the highest-ranking of all generals". The superlative suffix Italian: [[wikt:-issimo#Italian|-issimo]] itself derives from Latin Latin: [[wikt:-issimus#Latin|-issimus]],[2] [3] [4] [5] [6] meaning "utmost, to the highest grade". Similar cognates in other languages include Spanish; Castilian: generalísimo in Spanish, Portuguese: generalíssimo in Portuguese, French: généralissime in French, and Latin: generalissimus in Latin. The Russian word comes from Latin.[7]

Historically, this rank was given to a military officer leading an entire army or the entire armed forces of a state,[8] usually only subordinate to the sovereign. Alternatively, those of imperial blood or the commanders-in-chief of several allied armies could gain the title.[9] The military leader Albrecht von Wallenstein in 1632 became the first imperial generalissimo (general of the generals) of the Holy Roman Empire. Other usage of the title has been for the commander of the united armies of several allied powers (such as Ferdinand Foch on the Western Front in 1918 or Joseph Stalin on the Eastern Front in 1945), or if a senior military officer becomes a chief of state or a head of government (like Chiang Kai-shek in the Republic of China or Francisco Franco in Spain).

The rank generalissimus of the Soviet Union would have been a generalissimo but some sources assert that Joseph Stalin refused to accept the rank.[10] [11] In fact the grade was established by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet, which did not need the approval of Stalin.[12] The rank of generalissimo for Stalin was used also by Western diplomacy.[13]

In the 20th century, the term came to be associated with military officers who took dictatorial power in their respective countries, especially due to the Spanish leader Francisco Franco having this rank. As such, it is used in literature depicting fictional Latin American dictatorial regimes, for example Father Hilary's Holiday by Bruce Marshall.[14]

List of generalissimos

See main article: category.

Person Service Country Era Notes
The Deluge1655–1660Named "Generalissimo of the Swedish armies in Poland and Prussia" by his brother King Charles X Gustav of Sweden[15]
1898–1901 Generalissimo of the Katipunan[16]
1810–1818 Named Generalissimo of the Swedish Armed Forces on October 20, 1810, upon his arrival to Sweden. Charles John had the singular distinction of having been offered the role of Generalissimo of four different nations: Sweden (accepted), Imperial Russia, offered by Alexander during the Conference at Åbo in 1812,[17] of a restored Bourbon France in 1814 (offered by Louis XVIII's brother the Comte D'Artois),[18] and a desperate offer by Napoleon in early 1814 as an inducement for Sweden to switch its alliance to France.[19] Charles John declined the latter three.[20] [21] [22]
Thirty Years' War1648–1650He was named "Generalissimo of all Swedish forces in Germany" by his cousin Queen Christina of Sweden in January 1648, however he didn't accomplish much as commander of the Swedish forces in Germany as the war ended in October of the same year.[23]
1926–1975 Appointed commander in chief of the Nationalist Army for the Northern Expedition.[24] Appointed "high general special class" (特級上將 Tèjí shàng jiàng) in 1935
1702 Referred to as generalissimo by the Dutch States General[25]
1918 Généralissime was the title used to describe Marshal Ferdinand Foch's Allied Command, starting March 26, 1918. He actually held the rank of général de division, the dignity (rank) of Marshal of France and later the ranks of British field marshal and Marshal of Poland.[26]
1890 [27]
1936–1975 Generalísimo was used as a combination rank as he held the highest possible rank in all three branches of service: capitán general, capitán general del Aire, and capitán general de la Armada.[28]
Royal Swedish Army1716–1720 Fredrick was named "Generalissimo of the Swedish Armed forces to horse and foot" in 1716 by King Charles XII.[29]
French Army 1939 His rank was général d'armée, but his title as commander-in-chief of the French Armed Forces was généralissime.
1702–1708 Declared "generalissimo of all our Forces within Our Kingdom of England and Ireland and Elsewhere" by his wife Queen Anne[30]
1895–1898[31]
1810–1811[32]
1926–1945 Dai-gensui, as sovereign ruler of the Empire of Japan[33]
1821–1823 [34]
1673 "Generalissimo and supreme commander" over forces employed against the Dutch.[35]
French Army 1914 His dignity (rank) was Marshal of France, but his title as commander-in-chief of the French Army was généralissime.[36]
Hawaiian Army 1886–1891 King of Hawaii, was given titles of "supreme commander and generalissimo of the Hawaiian Army".[37]
1813–1814 Generalissimo of the Armies of the Habsburg Empire and senior Field Marshal of the combined forces of the Sixth Coalition. He led the largest Allied field army, the Army of Bohemia, during the Battle of Leipzig in 1813 and the Invasion of France in early 1814.[38]
1992 Taewonsu[39] [40]
Korean People's Army 2012 Taewonsu (posthumously awarded)[41]
War of the Spanish Succession 1708 Commanded the French Army[42]
1955 Proposed the rank of Generalissimo of the People's Republic of China (declined usage)
1727–1728 [43]
1812
Revolutionary Army of Mexico 1813–1815 [44]
1927–1930 [45]
Imperial Russian Army1799
Imperial Russian Army 1740–1741 [46]
French Army 1940 His rank was général d'armée, but his title as commander-in-chief of the French Armed Forces was généralissime.
1821–1822 Generalísimo de las Armas del Perú
1945 Generalissimus of the Soviet Union[47] (declined usage)
1921 Technically as dayuanshuai or "grand marshal of the army and navy"[48] [49]
1930 [50]
Thirty Years' War 1625 Via the "Principal Decree of the Imperial Deputation"[51] [52]
Continental Army
United States Army 		1776 When chosen to be the commander-in-chief, was called by The Virginia Gazette the generalissimo of American forces.[53] Promoted posthumously to General of the Armies of the United States on January 19, 1976, with date of rank of July 4, 1976[54]
1762–1763 Became Generalissimus of the Allied Armies in Portugal during the Spanish invasion
Yuan ShikaiBeiyang Army1913–1916Leader of the Beiyang government, declared generalissimo (dayuanshuai) in 1913
1927–1928 Leader of the Beiyang government, declared generalissimo (dayuanshuai) in June 1927[55]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Encyclopedia: generalissimo . Encyclopaedia Britannica: Or, A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and Miscellaneous Literature, Enlarged and Improved . 1823 . Archibald Constable . 484.
  2. Encyclopedia: Webster's Third New International Dictionary. issimus., French French: [[Éditions Larousse|Larousse]] Étymologique.
  3. Web site: Online Etymology Dictionary . . July 18, 2012 . June 5, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150605212756/http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=generalissimo . live .
  4. Web site: Define Generalissimo at Dictionary.com . . July 18, 2012 . October 6, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121006163631/http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/generalissimo . live .
  5. Web site: Generalissimo – Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary . . July 18, 2012 . June 14, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120614061322/http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/generalissimo . live .
  6. Web site: Definition of generalissimo – Oxford Dictionaries (British & World English) . https://web.archive.org/web/20120729050305/http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/generalissimo . dead . July 29, 2012 . Oxford Dictionary of English.
  7. Encyclopedia: Arsenyev . Konstantin . Konstantin Arsenyev . Petrushevsky . Fyodor . Генералиссимус . 15: Гальберг – Германий . . F. A. Brockhaus (Leipzig), I. A. Efron (Saint Petersburg) . 1892 . Generalissimo . 312.
  8. - "A supreme commander; spec. an officer in command of a combined military, naval, and air force, or of several armies. Also: a prefixed title or form of address for such a commander. Frequently figurative."
  9. Encyclopedia: Arsen'ev . Konstantin Konstantinovich . Konstantin Arsenyev . Энциклопедический Словарь Ф.А.Брокгауза и И.А.Ефрона . Генералиссимус . Generalissimus . 2 August 2024 . ru . 1892 . Brockhaus and Efron . Титул Г. всегда присваивался только лицам царской крови или же главнокомандующим несколькими союзными армиями. .
  10. Book: Service . Robert . . 2005 . Harvard University Press . 978-0-674-01697-2 . 493, 549 . en.
  11. S. M. Shtemenko. The General Staff in the War Years. Moscow, 1985. Vietnamese version (vol. 2) . pp. 587–588.
  12. Сборник законов СССР и Указов Президиума Верховного Совета СССР (1938 — июль 1956) / Сост.: М. И. Юмашев, Б. А. Жалейко. — М., 1956. — С. 202.
  13. Web site: Generalissimo Stalin (Hansard, 7 November 1945). February 13, 2019. February 13, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190213123627/https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1945/nov/07/generalissimo-stalin. live.
  14. Marshall, B: Father Hilary's Holiday Doubleday & Company, New York 1965.
  15. Web site: Adolf Johan . 2023-09-13 . sok.riksarkivet.se.
  16. George . Whitefield . Annual report of Major General George W. Davis, United States Army commanding Division of the Philippines from October 1, 1902, to July 26, 1903 . https://archive.org/details/annualreportofma03unit/page/188 . Textual record . annualreportofma03unit . 1903 . 188 . Archive.Org . Boston Public Library . 1039990497.
  17. Barton, Sir Dunbar (1925). Bernadotte Prince and King. P. 39. John Murray, London.
  18. Barton, Sir Dunbar (1925). Bernadotte Prince and King. P. 127. John Murray, London.
  19. Scott, Franklin (1935). Bernadotte and the Fall of Napoleon. P. 153. Harvard University Press, Cambridge.
  20. Ancienneté och Rang-Rulla öfver Krigsmagten år 1813
  21. Barton, Sir Dunbar (1925). Bernadotte Prince and King. P. 4. John Murray, London.
  22. The Napoleonic Marshal of France Jean Baptiste Bernadotte, Prince of Ponte Corvo, was elected Crown Prince of Sweden by the Riksdag of the Estates and King Charles XIII in 1810. Given his exalted French military rank, the rank of generalissimus was likely granted him in order to give him precedence over "mere" Swedish field marshals. Once he became King of Sweden and Norway in 1818, the generalissimus rank became superfluous.
  23. Web site: Karl X Gustav . 2023-09-18 . sok.riksarkivet.se.
  24. The New York Times, December 4, 1926, pg.6.
  25. Book: Rapin de Thoyras (M., Paul). Paul de Rapin. Nicholas Tindal. Nicholas Tindal. The History of England. September 16, 2018. IV, part 1 (French original: Histoire d'Angleterre, 1724–27). 1745. J. and P. Knapton. 562. The Earl of Athlone [Godard van Reede] was set on by the other Dutch Generals, to insist on his quality of Velt-Marshal, and to have the command with the Earl of Marlborough by turns. But, though he was now in high reputation by his late conduct, the States obliged him to yield this point to the Earl of Marlborough, whom they declared Generalissimo of all their forces, and sent orders to all their Generals and other Officers to obey him.. March 11, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230311233145/https://books.google.com/books?id=04NaAAAAYAAJ&pg=GBS.PA562. live.
  26. John McGroarty :The Gray Man of Christ: Generalissimo Foch (1919) Los Angeles, Walter A Abbott
  27. Book: Andermann . Jens . Rowe . William . Images of Power: Iconography, Culture and the State in Latin America . 2006 . Berghahn Books . 9781845452124 . 176 . August 11, 2019 . March 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230311233147/https://books.google.com/books?id=uvlQ6FipbMgC&pg=PA176 . live .
  28. https://web.archive.org/web/20070504051616/http://www.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,19431018,00.html "Franco of Iberia"
  29. Book: Pock, Johann Joseph. Der politische, katholische Passagier, durchreisend alle hohe Höfe, Republiquen, Herrschafften und Länder der ganzen Welt. September 16, 2018. 1724. Brechenmacher. 832. wurde 1720. von dem König in Schweden ... zum Generalissimo der sämmtlichen Schwedischen Trouppen ernennet. March 11, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230311233144/https://books.google.com/books?id=6ClMAAAAcAAJ&pg=GBS.PA832. live.
  30. Book: Rapin de Thoyras (M., Paul). Paul de Rapin. Nicholas Tindal. Nicholas Tindal. The History of England. September 16, 2018. IV, part 1 (French original: Histoire d'Angleterre, 1724–27). 1745. J. and P. Knapton. 104. The Prince was Duke of Cumberland, Lord High-Admiral of Great-Britain and Ireland, Generalissimo of all her Majesty's forces both by sea and land, and Warden of the Cinque-ports.. March 11, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230311233146/https://books.google.com/books?id=04NaAAAAYAAJ&pg=GBS.PA104. live.
  31. Web site: Rioseco . Pedro . Generalísimo Máximo Gómez, ejemplo de internacionalismo y genio militar . Contraloría General de la República . 16 September 2022 . es . September 20, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220920163527/https://www.contraloria.gob.cu/noticias/generalisimo-maximo-gomez-ejemplo-de-internacionalismo-y-genio-militar . live .
  32. http://www.biblioteca.tv/artman2/publish/1810_115/Comunica_Miguel_Hidalgo_su_proclamaci_n_como_General_simo_de_Am_rica.shtml Comunica Miguel Hidalgo su proclamaci n como General simo de Am rica
  33. Book: Bix . Herbert P. . Hirohito And The Making Of Modern Japan . 13 October 2009 . Harper Collins . 978-0-06-186047-8 . en . June 5, 2022 . June 4, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220604181823/https://books.google.com/books?id=zjmVltzm1kYC&pg=PA31&dq=Generalissimo . live .
  34. Anna . Timothy E. . The Rule of Agustin de Iturbide: A Reappraisal . Journal of Latin American Studies . 1985 . 17 . 1 . 79–110 . 10.1017/S0022216X00009202 . 157498 . 145054515 . 0022-216X.
  35. Book: Roper . Michael . The Records of the War Office and Related Departments, 1660–1964 . 5 . 1998 . Public Record Office . Kew, Surrey .
  36. Book: Doughty . Robert A. . Pyrrhic Victory: French Strategy and Operations in the Great War . 30 June 2009 . Harvard University Press . 978-0-674-03431-0 . 232 . en . Robert A. Doughty . July 8, 2022 . July 8, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220708053537/https://books.google.com/books?id=awbB9jqNBccC&pg=PA232 . live .
  37. Book: Chapter XXII: Act Act To Organize The Military Forces Of The Kingdom . Laws of His Majesty Kalakaua, King of the Hawaiian Islands: Passed by the Legislative Assembly at Its Session of 1886 . 1886 . Black & Auld . Honolulu . 42350849 . 37–41 . March 16, 2017 . March 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230311233146/https://books.google.com/books?id=2LMwAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA37 . live .
  38. Book: Peck . Harry Thurston . The International Cyclopedia: A Compendium of Human Knowledge, Rev. with Large Additions . 1898 . Dodd, Mead . 238 . en . May 4, 2022 . May 5, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220505040512/https://books.google.com/books?id=gj5MAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA238&dq=generalissimo . live .
  39. Web site: The Daily Yomuiri, 29 September 2010, Kim Jong Un spotlighted / 'Heir apparent' promoted to general, makes DPRK media debut . September 30, 2010 . October 2, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101002062121/http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/world/T100928004855.htm .
  40. News: Late North Korean Leader Promoted to Generalissimo . . 14 February 2012 . en . May 8, 2022 . May 8, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220508080214/https://www.voanews.com/a/late-north-korean-leader-promoted-to-generalissimo-139347773/152066.html . live .
  41. Web site: The Australian, 15 February 2012, Late Kim Jong-il awarded highest honour by North . February 15, 2012 . February 17, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120217023225/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/late-kim-jong-il-awarded-highest-honour-by-north/story-e6frg6so-1226271640849.
  42. Book: Rapin de Thoyras (M., Paul). Paul de Rapin. Nicholas Tindal. Nicholas Tindal. The History of England. September 16, 2018. IV, part 1 (French original: Histoire d'Angleterre, 1724–27). 1745. J. and P. Knapton. 68. But an unexpected alteration was suddenly made, and the French King declared the Duke of Burgundy Generalissimo of his forces, appointing the Duke de Vendosme [sic: Vendôme] to serve under him; and he was to be accompanied by the Duke of Berry.. March 11, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230311233217/https://books.google.com/books?id=04NaAAAAYAAJ&pg=GBS.PA68. live.
  43. "Menschikow und Stalin waren die einzigen Heerführer der russischen Geschichte, die sich 'Generalissimus' nennen ließen." [Menshikov and Stalin were the only military leaders in Russian history who declared themselves "''generalissimus''".] Jena, Detlev (1996): Die russischen Zaren in Lebensbildern, Graz, p. 520.
  44. Web site: Inauguration of the exhibition José María Morelos y Pavón. Generalissimo of Mexican America armies . Gobierno de México . Noticias – Dirección General de Asuntos internacionales – Secretaría de Cultura . 3 July 2022 . spanish . February 9, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230209212440/https://www.cultura.gob.mx/dgai/noticias-detalle/?id=43828&orden=1&ln=en . live .
  45. Bletch Chirguh, La Question Kurde: ses origines et ses causes, Le Caire, Impimerie Paul Barbey, 1930, front cover, Ihsan Nouri Pacha Généralissime des forces nationales Kurdes
  46. Web site: Portrait of Prince Anton Ulrich von Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel (1714-1774). hermitagemuseum.org. 2023. 14 January 2023. April 10, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190410141125/https://www.hermitagemuseum.org/wps/portal/hermitage/digital-collection/01.%2BPaintings/128240. live.
  47. Joseph Stalin was appointed generalissimus of the Soviet Union. See: Ivan Aleksandrovich Venediktov, Selskokhozyaystvennaya entsiklopediya, Vol. 4, Gos. izd-vo selkhoz, 1956, p. 584.
  48. Book: Wu Tingfang (1842–1922): Reform and Modernization in Modern Chinese History. Linda Pomerantz-Zhang. 1992. Hong Kong University Press. 255. 962209287X. October 31, 2010. March 11, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230311233146/https://books.google.com/books?id=otwbBh_GgrwC&q=tang+jiyao&pg=PA255. live.
  49. Book: Taylor, Jay. The Generalissimo: Chiang Kai-shek and the struggle for modern China. registration. February 28, 2017. April 15, 2009. Harvard University Press. 978-0-674-05471-4. 32.
  50. Stanley Walker, Generalissimo Rafael L. Trujillo (1955) Caribbean Library
  51. https://archive.org/details/ashorthistoryge06hendgoog A short history of Germany
  52. https://books.google.com/books?id=KhtIC3zyvUcC&dq=Tilly+generalissimus&pg=PA6 Tilly und Wallenstein – ein Vergleich zweier Heerführer
  53. Book: Chadwick . Bruce . Bruce Chadwick . George Washington's War: The Forging of a Revolutionary Leader and the American Presidency . 2005 . Sourcebooks, Inc. . 9781402226106 . 40 . November 23, 2018 . March 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230311233145/https://books.google.com/books?id=JrN95xjXKC0C&pg=PA40 . live .
  54. [s:Public Law 94-479|Public Law 94-479 of January 19, 1976]
  55. News: Moore . Frederick . Chang Tso-lin Made Dictator in Move to Beat Back South . February 4, 2020 . The New York Times . June 18, 1927 . August 18, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200818121633/https://www.nytimes.com/1927/06/18/archives/chang-tsolin-made-dictator-in-move-to-beat-back-south-northerners.html . live .

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