War March 23, 2017
Rise and decline of “total war” Optimistic view: war doesn’t pay World Wars and Cold War Efforts international organization After the cold war US the dominant military force Changes in American military Limits of American power
Conscription and volunteer military Conscription in United States Volunteer military (1973-present) Motivation Qualification Longer term of service Consequences of volunteer army
Military and Society Who serves? Greater separation Military and decision makers Military and society Pressures on soldiers Benefits of military service? Sense of national unity Effect on later life
Wartime Deaths: Harvard graduates Harvard All WWI 373 117,000 Vietnam 22 58,000 Spanish American (1898) 10 2,500 Iraq/Afghanistan 1 6,500