Shapers of military philosophy: Emory Upton Alfred Thayer Mahan HIS 207

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

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

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

The Military Policy of the United States One of the most significant books in US military history, shaped the thinking of officers of over 100 years. 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 civil- military relationship and the nature of American military policy. Called for major changes in the civil- military relationship and the nature of American military policy.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ideas The Influence of Sea Power upon History. The Influence of Sea Power upon History. Long and difficult read 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. 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. 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.

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

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

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