v   MH-3: Toward a Professional Military:

§       Beginnings of Professional Military:

·       Theory & Reality in conflict:

¨     Uneven military policy for first 75 years;

¨     Militia favored in theory;

Ø    Not supported in reality to fight its wars;

Ø    NTL US citizen soldiers held own in early going;     

 

·       Role of Congress:

¨     Lip Service but no real support or funding;

¨     Tacit acceptance of regular Army & officer corps;

 

·       Factors Pro & Con for peacetime military (1783-1846):

¨     Federalists Party support strong central government;

Ø    Requires strong professional National force;

 

·       Washington’s Four point program proposal;

Ø    Congressional response;

 

·       Constitution’s impact- solves problem:

Ø    Eliminates weak confederation government;

Ø    Article #1 gives Congress power over military;

 

·       French Revolution’s impact – ambivalent & divided:

Ø    Divided along party lines;

Ø    Economic Impact of Brits vs. French (US Navy);

§       War of 1812:

·       Background  & Overview (Map);

Ø    Brits inflict greatest harm to US trade & freedom;

Ø    Embargo Act major failure;

Ø    Political & regional division on declaring war;

Ø    Strong Brit provocation & impressments take toll;

Ø    Madison concludes war w/Canada necessary;

Ø    Nation divided & unprepared for war;

·       Battle Brief presentation (key Battles):

Ø    Strategy for Canada invasion

·       Map: Lake Champlain to Montreal;

·       NE major obstacle to its execution;

Ø    British Control of the Sea: Blockade;

Ø    British Offenses conducted during war:

·       Attempt from Canada via Champlain;

·       Chesapeake Offense –Burn Capitol & WH;

·       Mississippi via New Orleans – Jax defeats;

Ø    Brits end war soon after Napoleon defeated:

¨     Results & Lessons Learned:

Ø    Poor leadership, execution & support systems;

Ø    Overhaul Army bureaucracy;

Ø    Establish regimental officer system w/standards;

Ø    Establish USMA to train & develop officers;

§       Early Attempts at professional US Military:

·       Strategic purpose of military: Frontier constabulary;

¨     Defend Nation from invasion – strong Navy (small);

¨     Fortification system along coast & inlets;

 

·       Debate: Militia vs. standing Army:

¨     Calhoun’s proposed reforms;

 

·       USMA revival: established high standards & traditions;

¨     Reforms of Capt Thayer – 4 year curriculum;

 

·       Other Professional Trends:

¨     More efficient Bureau system established;

¨     Mid-grade professional military schools;

¨     Professional Journals on Tactics & equip. reform;

¨     Support for Nation’s economic expansion:

Ø    Distracts from professional development;

 

·       Military Professionalism  & Politics:

¨     Regular Army still suspect in eyes of many;

¨     Firm belief that any patriot can lead an army;

¨     Theoretical support for militia continues;

¨     Volunteer Militia form to fill void & lack of support;

Ø    Mostly dash but also source of manpower;

 

§       Mexican War (1846-1847):

·       Background & Overview (Map) & War’s origins:

¨     Westward expansion, Manifest Destiny;

 

·       Battle Brief presentation (key Battles):

¨     US Strategy, plans, & preparation;

¨     Major engagements & campaigns:

Ø    Battle of Palo Alto – 1st major engagement;

Ø    Opposing Commanders & forces;

Ø    Battle of Buena Vista:

§       Tactical success vs. strategic value;

Ø    Strategic necessity & Scott’s campaign in South:

§       Effective tactics & innovation;

§       Battle of Cerro Gordo;

§       Final Assaults, Center of Gravity, & victory;

·       Results, Lessons Learned, & significance:

¨     Important “firsts” for military forces:

§       Power projection abroad – success;

§       Key role of US Navy;

§       Troops acquitted themselves well;

§       Total causalities: 7700 Dead (900 KIAs);

§       West Point training & development paid off;

·       Especially Evident during Scott’s campaign;

 

§       New Technological Developments & Adaptations:

¨     New energy invention application (sea & land):

§       Steam Engine applied to military use;

·       Railroad & Steamship;

·       Problems to overcome;

 

¨     Advances in Naval Artillery:

§       Dahlgren’s 11” muzzle load smooth bore:

·       Modified coke bottle shape (shell & shot);

·       Critical intermediate step;

·       Trend: cannon on steamships;

 

¨     Improvements in Army ordnance & weapons:

§       Percussion cap –eliminated priming;

§       Rifled Musket – improved accuracy & range;

§       Minnie ball – solves problem of loading rifle;     

 

¨     American Strategic Thought & its limitations:

§       Dennis Hart Mahon & Napoleon Club:

·       Fortified active defense strategy & tactics;

·       Developed future leaders of Civil War;

·       Practical focus of most Military Officers:

·       Nitty-gritty details of military tactics;

 

 

 

§       Assessment:

¨     Gradual progress toward standing Army:

§       Focus: western frontier & Indians out west;

§       For War: fill out Army with volunteers;

§       Established coastal fortifications;

 

¨     Technological improvements achieved:

§       Land: officers prepared to exploit railroads;

§       Adapted rifled musket w/Minnie ball;

·       But failed to appreciate tactical implications;

 

¨     USMA & professional schools established:

§       Thayer reforms improve officer quality;

 

¨     Professional officer corps emerges:

§       Begin to think of Army as calling to career;

§       Think more about military art & science;

 

¨     Problems remain:

§       Militia declined after 1815 – volunteer Militias;

§       Amateur tradition alive & well:

·       Civilian sentiment persisted;

·       Anybody can lead men in combat;

¨     (at least until first shot is fired);