HIS 207

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Batavia, New York native
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Statue of him is in city square
Graduate of West Point
Served in Civil War rising to the rank of
Brevet Major General
After war served as Superintendent of
West Point

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Upton was a prodigue of Wm. T. Sherman.
In 1875, he was sent on a tour of world armies.
Most impressed by the Prussian Army
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Excellent General Staff
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Universal Conscription
Large Ready Reserve
Excellent Service Schools

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Report on finding,
was ignored by the government.
Thesis—Need for rudiments of a mass army
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Not an attractive or economically realistic proposal in the Post-Civil War period.

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One of the most significant books in US military history, shaped the thinking of officers of over 100 years.
Called for major changes in the civilmilitary relationship and the nature of
American military policy.

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Long history of irresponsibility in congressional authority and a neglect of armed forces.
Believed an anti-military prejudice existed in political system
Military suffered due to routine civilian interference-mismanagement
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Civilians can not be trusted to make decisions in the best interest of the military.

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Government unwilling to face challenges appropriately
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Resorted to makeshift responses (reacting rather than acting)
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Military amateurism too often the result
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Politically appointed officers (serious Civil War Problem)
Hopeless ineffective militia (citizen-soldiers)
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Poorly trained short-term volunteers
Regular army left under funded, under trained, under equipped.

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Military left unprepared in every war in
American History
Country left scrabbling, expending life and money to secure victory--Waste
Believed even moderate outlays in peacetime would eliminate risks-this is more economical solution

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Placed heavy emphasis on military education—training an effective officer corps and group of non-commissioned officers.
Creation of expandable army
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Corps of Officers and NCOs that could be rapidly expanded in wartime

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Strong tradition of citizen soldier.
Could Expandable Army expand enough?
Why would we need a large army?
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Potential enemies?
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Congress able to ignore his ideas.

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John Logan
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Civil War General
Congressmen in post-war
GAR
Comes away from war with very different impression than Upton

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The Volunteer Soldier of America
Citizen-Soldiers were the key to Northern success
West Point was dangerous to democratic institutions—confining military knowledge to a small group
War experience demonstrated natural genius of citizen soldier if given the opportunity.

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Performance of citizen soldiers had been excellent
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Just needed training and experience
Proposed much more open officer training system
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Competitive exams
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ROTC type programs at public universities
Public school curriculum providing physical training and drill

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Traditional strategy of the Navy consisted of commerce raiding and blockade running
Passive coastal defense
In 1880’s, the European imperialism forces a shift in Washington’s point of view
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Fear of losing global markets

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Alfred Thayer Mahan, son of Denis Hart
Mahan, would be spokesman for new navy.
Unlikely voice—poor sailor (afraid of the sea)
Appointment to Navy War College in 1886
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Investigates the role of navies in the rise and fall of great nations

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Long and difficult read
Demonstrates through historical example that an expanded merchant marine and a powerful navy is necessary of a nation to become a great power.
The centerpiece of naval power is the battle fleet, a force of capital ships
(battleships and heavy cruisers), capable of seizing command of the seas.

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To support this battlefleet, the U.S. would need to develop overseas possessions.
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Need for coaling stations and advanced bases.
Support for a Central American canal linking
Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

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Mahan receives a much more enthusiastic response than Upton.
Right words at the right time.
Ideas reflect the much more expansionist, outward looking perspective of the 1890’s.

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“Fame was won less for being right, than for filling a need”