American Military History: A Survey From Colonial Times to the Present 3rd Ed.

"Now in its third edition, American Military History examines how a country shaped by race, ethnicity, economy, regionalism, and power has been equally influenced by war and the struggle to define the role of a military in a free and democratic society. Organized chronologically, the text begins at the point of European conflict with Native Americans and concludes with military affairs in the early 21st century, providing an important overview of the military's role on an international, domestic, social, and symbolic level. The third edition is fully updated to reflect recent developments in military policy and the study of military history and war and society, thus providing students a foundational understanding of the American military experience. This book will be of interest to students of American history and military history. It is designed to allow instructors flexibility in structuring a course"-- Provided by publisher "This textbook is meant to serve as a foundation for undergraduate courses in American military history ... War, naturally, plays a central role in this textbook, and in several instances chapters are devoted solely to conflict. Other issues and events beyond war, however, also characterize the American military experience. The struggle between the tradition of militia and the need for a standing army, the evolution of civil-military relations, the advent of professionalism in the military, the non-military uses of the military, and the military's role in democratic society as a tool of international and domestic power, a social institution, and symbol of American prestige abroad are also part of the experience. In order to gain a holistic appreciation of American military history, these themes and others must be examined in the context of American history"--Preface The first American way of war The colonies and wars for empire Independence and the birth of a national military The young nation and its young military challenged The second war of independence Agents of empire Toward a professional military The Civil War Becoming a modern military "Over there" The interwar years Second Great War Postwar reform and new military challenges Challenges of the Cold War Vietnam Military challenges in a changing world Into the twenty-first century.

This book is for undergraduate courses in American Military History. It covers from the colonial period through the War on Terror, using a narrative and thematic approach. Includes the development of civilian control of the military; the American military at war; the professionalization of the American military; the use of American military power to achieve national strategic objectives; and the non-military uses of the American military throughout American history.