Core Assessment

Park University

Professor Toro – HIS330

James L. Carson

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Abstract

This assessment will demonstrate a variety of differences in American culture as it relates to the American

way of war, military models used, military policies and goals, military usage of technology and the preparation for

and the application of war. “Understanding both this paradoxical love-hate attitude toward war and the

relationship among military institutions, war, and society is essential in comprehending America’s past, its present,

and, perhaps, its future.”

Introduction

Throughout American history, our country has witnessed constant change regarding the American way of

war to preparation and the application of war. Although viewed as a peaceful country, the United States has

consistently found itself involved within several wars for one reason or another to include military policies and goals

in pursuit of dominance. History has shown that we made the impossible and unlikely situations that didn’t favor us,

and turned them around for not just America, but for our allies as well. In this assessment, you will understand that

the necessity for war was done the best way we knew how to in those moments of time from the civil war, all the

way to modern day applications of war.

Interpret and Analyze the “American way of war”

The American way of war included the potential for advancing national interest via various means and how

the culture and preparation for war would shape the American strategy. The strategy of annihilation relied on

attacks designed to overwhelm the enemy with soldiers and firepower thus destroying them whereas the strategy of

attrition was simply outlasting and eventually wearing down the enemy. Advancements on how the battle was

fought from the beginning using a tactical way or war to strategical combat as the forces became more familiar with

war. The tactical method was a more aggressive style to overwhelm and destroy the enemy forces to acquire a quick

victory while minimizing casualties. Strategic methods primarily focused on a swift military victory to include

national strategies such as deterrence against invaders. "That the main danger facing the United States was invasion

and that the primary military necessity was to create a military organization capable of repelling it. This conviction

had guided the army's commanding generals between 1869 and 1895.” American military adapted to change during

World War I as soldiers would hunker down within trenches for weeks at a time while weaponry such as tanks, gas

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and artillery would attempt to soften enemy lines; a stark contrast from the Civil War days when the militia would

charge forward without regard for life.

Describe and compare American military models

After completion of the Civil War, industrialization forced expansion along with advancements in

weaponry and strategy, all of which would help bolster our military forces to include an increase in land and Naval

forces. The use of large-scale expeditionary forces to support overseas allies was a major adjustment between the

timeframe of the Civil War into World War I as American soldiers were training and fighting alongside their allies.

“Train as you fight” was a strategy that was not common at first for our forces. Fighting on an international level

brought forth new foreign policy as well as advancements in technology to aid the war as America was becoming a

new world power. Weaponry advancements immediately impacted military models as each became more efficient in

eliminating the adversary in larger quantities from a greater distance as well as reducing the risk losing its own

soldier. World War I introduced advancements in weaponry such as tanks, grenades, fighter planes, computers,

telegraphs, battery operated field phones and other electronic communications devices. Each of these advancements

did not come without complications as manufacturers were not able to keep pace with increased supply and demand

from not only our military but other allied forces. “Twentieth-century warfare demands that the blood of the soldier

must be mingled with from three to five parts of the sweat of the man in the factories, mills, mines, and fields of the

nation in arms.” Tough times enabled life lessons to be learned such as the ability to continuously supply and

resupply the forces with humanitarian aid or extra personnel, no matter where, via rapid cargo aircraft and ships

resulting in a more lethal force.

Analyze changing American military policies and goals

American military goals began to change after the Civil War with the ideas of not wanting to expand

westward but develop their own empire with a huge interest in imperialism. The thirst for war and supremacy

continued to run rampant through American minds. "A resurgent Manifest Destiny proclaimed the white man's

moral responsibility to spread civilization." This plan soon changed as gold and silver were found within the areas

where Native Americans had been forced to relocate thus America was in pursuit of claiming these minerals. Naval

forces increased enlistments as the sea would be considered the “the future seat of empire.” During the Spanish

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War, American military policy and goal were in a state of neutrality with international affairs. These policies and

goals changed in a way of combining both Naval and Army forces to combat Spain in its attempt to stop expansion

into Central/Southern America and the Caribbean.

Examine American military use of technology

America has never been shy of innovation and pushing technology forward on the battlefield. It’s

commendable to be able to be in a massive conflict with several nations, and still find the means to advance the

military use of technological advances. It improved tremendously from the Revolutionary War upwards through the

great World Wars. By the end of World War II, advancement in military weaponry included V-1, V-2 rockets,

submarines, tanks, flame thrower, chemical weapons, jet engine and bomber aircraft, radar technology, computers

and the most devastating weapon of all - the atomic bomb. The ability to completely destroy and entire city by a

single bomb dropped from an aircraft completely changed the game thus leading to modern warfare as we see it

today. Advancements were made within both science and medical fields to include blood transfusions, antibiotics

and repellants as a means to not only treat but supply preventative measures for those soldiers on the battlefield as

prior to World War I more soldiers died due to non-injury relates causes such as disease.

Analyze American relationship with, preparation for and application of war

Preparation and experience are what I think of when it comes to America’s war efforts. In the earlier stages

of our American forces, they began as unorganized and undisciplined militias, that would later transform into our

Army and Navy forces. Increased preparedness manifested itself through all branches of the military forces, from

top to bottom of each service group. American application of war changed from that of the Civil War to World War

I as the nation was divided during the Civil War, in comparison to imperialistic power after the Revolutionary War.

Manifest Destiny started the push forward into imperial power. It has always been through great conflict, we have

been able to determine what conflicts have been applicable to our nation and how to proceed forward by developing

our military forces to deal with the adversity and challenges of not just our own, but our allies as well.

Conclusion

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 America attempted to maintain a neutral and isolationist mindset however certain circumstances to include

policy, land, trade, minerals etc. would force their hand as they entered war. Technological advancements not only

applied to war efforts but also assisted in improvements within science and medical fields as we see and benefit

from today. Preparation for war has stayed the course as experience gained during war has taught us that being

properly trained and ready to mobilize at a moment’s notice is the best defense rather than being a reactionary force.

Strategic and tactical planning has also played a major role in mobilizing as both can result in a swift result unlike

previous methods of annihilation or attrition. The love for war for us is by protecting our own as well as the interest

of our allies but hating to intervene in other affairs unless necessary.

References

Allan R. Millett, Petter Maslowski, and William B. Feis. (2012). For the Common Defense: A Military History of
the United States from 1607 to 2012. New York: New York Free Press.

Small Wars Journal. (2011). https://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/lost-in-translation-the-american-way-of-war

Brian M. Linn and Russell F. Weigley. "The American Way of War’ Revisited.” The Journal of Military History.
Vol. 66, No. 2 (Apr., 2002), pp. 501-533.