Jump to content

Generalissimo

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 12.214.62.215 (talk) at 00:51, 3 April 2008 (→‎Russia and the Soviet Union: spelling correction). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Generalissimo Francisco de Miranda

Generalissimo or Generalissimus is a military rank of the highest degree, superior to a Field Marshal or Grand Admiral.

Usage

The word "generalissimo" comes from the (latin) Italian generale, general, plus the suffix -issimo, meaning "utmost, to the highest grade". The rank was historically given to a military officer leading an entire army or the entire armed forces, only subordinated to the Sovereign. The contemporary use of "generalissimo", has in the English language come to refer to a military officer who has obtained political power by a military coup, or in some cases one who has suspended pre-existing constitutional mechanisms in order to retain power by means of a military hierarchy. For example Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini were not generalissimos, but other generalissimos were subordinated to them.

Famous historical generalissimos

Republic of China

Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek.

Cuba

France

Germany

The Holy Roman Empire / Austrian Empire

Mexico

Japan

Poland

Russia and the Soviet Union

There were four holders of the Russian rank or title "generalissimus" prior to the 20th century. Menshikov both commanded military forces and ruled absolutely; two others, Aleksei Shein and Aleksandr Suvorov, were principally field commanders rather than political figures, and hence are listed below. Anthony Ulrich II, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1714–1776), was appointed generalissimus by his wife Anna Leopoldovna but neither commanded nor ruled.

Kingdom of Spain

For a time Baldomero Espartero and the Prince of the Peace, Manuel Godoy, were called generalissimo.

Sweden

Venezuela

United Kingdom

United States of America

General John Joseph Pershing


On October 11, 1976, by Act of Congress, Washington was posthumously appointed to the grade of "General of the Armies of the United States". The appointment was backdated to July 4, 1976[1] and was a designation that, by law, made George Washington the most-senior United States military officer.

Venice

Other Italians

See also

References

  1. ^ Promotion order of George Washington, Military Personnel Records Center (Image:Orders 31-3.jpg and Image:Orders 31-3 Cover Letter.jpg).
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Generalissimo&oldid=202937014"