Civil-Military Relations on the Frontier and Beyond, 1865-1917 (In War and in Peace: U.S. Civil-Military Relations)

Civilian control of the military is one of the cornerstones on which America is built, extending back even before the founding of the nation. In this volume, Byler examines the development of civil-military relations from the end of the Civil War until the start of the First World War, looking at what happened and why. During this period, an initially small, poorly funded, and often unpopular military continued its traditional subordination to civilian authority despite the dissatisfaction of many of its leaders. This volume explores why this was the case. It then demonstrates that even after the military achieved victory over Spain and began to rule overseas colonial possessions, giving it new prestige and influence, the experience of the previous decades ensured that the traditional principle of civilian control remained strong.Significant tensions developed between civilian and military leaders as the small and poorly-funded military was sent on missions in the Reconstruction South and the Indian West, into overseas wars against the Spanish and the Filipino nationalists, and on interventions in the Caribbean and Central America. Nonetheless, officers continued to obey civilian authorities because of a developing professional ethos that emphasized the tradition of subordination to civilian leaders and the disengagement of the military from politics. Even as the military gained the size, strength, and prestige to challenge civilian control, it did not do so directly. Instead, it became adept at working within civilian institutions, forming alliances with leaders inside and outside government to shape the policies it wanted. Civilian Control Of The Military Is One Of The Cornerstones On Which America Is Built, Extending Back Even Before The Founding Of The Nation. In This Volume, Charles A. Byler Examines The Development Of Civil-military Relations From The End Of The Civil War Until The Start Of The First World War, Looking At What Happened And Why. The Period Covered In This Volume Was One During Which An Initially Small, Poorly Funded, And Often Unpopular Military Continued Its Traditional Subordination To Civilian Authority Despite The Dissatisfaction Of Many Of Its Leaders. Even After The Military Achieved Victory Over Spain And Began To Rule Overseas Colonial Possessions - Giving It New Prestige And Influence - The Experience Of The Previous Decades Ensured That The Traditional Principle Of Civilian Control Remained Strong. Significant Tensions Developed Between Civilian And Military Leaders As The Military Was Sent On Missions In The Reconstruction South And The Indian West, Into Overseas Wars Against The Spanish And Filipino Nationalists, And On Interventions In The Caribbean And Central America. Despite These Tensions, Officers Continued To Obey Civilian Authorities Because Of A Developing Professional Ethos That Emphasized The Tradition Of Subordination To Civilian Leaders, And The Disengagement Of The Military From Politics. Even As The Military Gained The Size, Strength, And Prestige To Challenge Civilian Control, It Did Not Do So Directly. Instead, It Became Adept At Working Within Civilian Institutions, Forming Alliances With Leaders Inside And Outside Government To Shape Policy - Even As It Continues To Do Today.--jacket. Chronology Of Important Events -- Americans Look At Their Military, 1865-1917 -- Congress, Popular Opinion, And The Making Of Military Policy -- The Military Experience, 1865-1917 -- Military Subordination To Civil Authority -- Civil-military Relations And The Campaign For Military Reform -- Military Disaffection And Challenges To Civil Authority -- Documents. Charles A. Byler. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [163]-186) And Index. Never before or since in American history have the needs and influence of the military weighed so heavily on society. Escott analyzes the militarization of life in the Confederacy and probes the relationships between military commanders, legislators, and Jefferson Davis and his administration. As the South struggled to wage an exhausting war against the North, military necessity increasingly determined policy and shaped all aspects of life. The military had an increasingly large impact not only on policy but also on events inside civil society. Military men played important roles in bringing about extensive social change, enforcing law and order, and placing significant restrictions on individual freedoms. Examines the development of civil-military relations in the US from the end of the Civil War until the start of the First World War. This volume demonstrates that even after the military achieved victory over Spain, the experience of the previous decades ensured that the traditional principle of civilian control remained strong.