Preparing for War : The Emergence of the Modern U.S. Army, 1815–1917

The U.S. Army has always regarded preparing for war as its peacetime role, but how it fulfilled that duty has changed dramatically over time. J. P. Clark traces the evolution of the Army between the War of 1812 and World War I, showing how differing personal experiences of war and peace among successive generations of professional soldiers left their mark upon the Army and its ways. Nineteenth-century officers believed that generalship and battlefield command were more a matter of innate ability than anything institutions could teach. They saw no benefit in conceptual preparation beyond mastering technical skills like engineering and gunnery. Thus, preparations for war were largely confined to maintaining equipment and fortifications and instilling discipline in the enlisted ranks through parade ground drill. By World War I, however, Progressive Era concepts of professionalism had infiltrated the Army. Younger officers took for granted that war's complexity required them to be trained to think and act alike--a notion that would have offended earlier generations. Preparing for War concludes by demonstrating how these new notions set the conditions for many of the successes--and some of the failures--of General Pershing's American Expeditionary Forces. Preparing For War Examines Historical Changes In The Ways American Army Officers Have Thought About And Prepared For War. In 1815, Most Officers Regarded Innate Genius As The Paramount Professional Quality. So While The Still New Academy At West Point Might Impart Useful Technical Knowledge Of Gunnery Or Engineering Or Drill Manuals Could Standardize Tactical Commands And Formations, Officers Felt That The Most Important Elements Of Their Trade Were Beyond The Ability Of Formal Institutions To Instill Or Improve. By 1917, Progressive Era Concepts Of Professionalism And Organization Had Infiltrated The Army, Leading To A New Way Of Preparing For War That Included An Expanded System Of Professional Schools, Realistic Field Training, And Prescriptive Tactical Doctrine.-- A Profession Born In War -- Trials On The Frontier And In Mexico -- The First Upheaval -- The Civil War's Legacy -- Between Old And New -- The Second Upheaval -- Old Soldiers In A New Army -- The Great War. J.p. Clark. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Présentation de l'éditeur : "Preparing for War examines historical changes in the ways American army officers have thought about and prepared for war. In 1815, most officers regarded innate "genius" as the paramount professional quality. So while the still new academy at West Point might impart useful technical knowledge of gunnery or engineering or drill manuals could standardize tactical commands and formations, officers felt that the most important elements of their trade were beyond the ability of formal institutions to instill or improve. By 1917, Progressive Era concepts of professionalism and organization had infiltrated the army, leading to a new way of preparing for war that included an expanded system of professional schools, realistic field training, and prescriptive tactical doctrine." "Preparing for War examines historical changes in the ways American army officers have thought about and prepared for war. In 1815, most officers regarded innate "genius" as the paramount professional quality. So while the still new academy at West Point might impart useful technical knowledge of gunnery or engineering or drill manuals could standardize tactical commands and formations, officers felt that the most important elements of their trade were beyond the ability of formal institutions to instill or improve. By 1917, Progressive Era concepts of professionalism and organization had infiltrated the army, leading to a new way of preparing for war that included an expanded system of professional schools, realistic field training, and prescriptive tactical doctrine."-- Provided by publisher The U.S. Army has always regarded preparing for war as its peacetime role, but how it fulfilled that duty has changed dramatically between the War of 1812 and World War I. J. P. Clark shows how differing personal experiences of war and peace among successive generations of professional soldiers left their mark upon the Army and its ways. Cover Title Copyright Dedication Contents Preface Prologue 1 A Profession Born in War 2 Trials on the Frontier and in Mexico 3 The First Upheaval 4 The Civil War’s Legacy 5 Between Old and New 6 The Second Upheaval 7 Old Soldiers in a New Army 8 The Great War Epilogue Abbreviations Notes Acknowledgments Index