Military Rank | Buy

Wealth, not talent, determined who commanded troops. Wealthy, young aristocrats could leapfrog over experienced, battle-hardened veterans who lacked the funds to buy promotions.

This conflict exposed the catastrophic incompetence of purchased leadership, most famously demonstrated by the suicidal "Charge of the Light Brigade." buy military rank

(1980). The Army and Society, 1815–1914. London: Longman. Wealth, not talent, determined who commanded troops

The Franco-Prussian War (1870) demonstrated the superiority of a professional, merit-based officer corps (the Prussian Army) over traditional aristocratic armies. determined who commanded troops. Wealthy

If an officer died in battle, their rank could not be sold; the next senior officer was promoted for free. 3. Sociological and Political Rationale

To move up, an officer had to buy the next rank from an officer who was retiring or selling out.