Military after Civil War HIS 207

Civil War is Over  Great volunteer army was quickly demobilized May 1865—1 million volunteers in army May 1865—1 million volunteers in army November—800,900 men released from service November—800,900 men released from service By 1866—only 11,000 volunteers remain By 1866—only 11,000 volunteers remain  By 1876-the authorized size was reduced down to 27,500

Government Vision in post-war era  White House and Congress saw no need for a large regular army  Believed that nation was well served by volunteer force in Civil War  No “real” enemies on the horizon  Prompts question—”Why do we need an army?”  Military spending channeled in other directions.

What are roles of the post-war army?  Difficult to accomplish any objectives with very small force spread out over many bases. Reflected political realities—think of today Reflected political realities—think of today  Large unit organization was non-existent Nothing larger than a regiment Nothing larger than a regiment

Uses of the Army in the post-war period.  Reconstruction/Occupation of the South  Indian wars  Civil Disturbances/Strikebreaking

Reconstruction ( )  Greatly disliked task Wanted to avoid politics Wanted to avoid politics Voter registration drives, arranging elections, installing officialsVoter registration drives, arranging elections, installing officials Too few troops to truly “occupy” the South. Too few troops to truly “occupy” the South. Little support in North for occupationLittle support in North for occupation Successful in establishing the Civilian government Successful in establishing the Civilian government Not so successful in protecting freed blacks Not so successful in protecting freed blacks

Indian Wars  From 1865 to 1891, there were 13 different campaigns and at least 1,000 separate engagements with Native American warriors.  Another job the army accepted reluctantly Likely to be criticized regardless of the outcome. Likely to be criticized regardless of the outcome. Generally called in to resolve issues created by settlers or Indian Bureau. Generally called in to resolve issues created by settlers or Indian Bureau.

Army Tactics  Developed effective small units tactics to deal with highly mobile tribes on the Great Plains. Vulnerable to attack by larger force—Custer Vulnerable to attack by larger force—Custer Frequently outgunned by the Indians Frequently outgunned by the Indians Eventually able to overcome these limitations Eventually able to overcome these limitations

Frontier Life of army  Very different from the “Hollywood” image  Life was lonely and remote Few men brought their families Few men brought their families  Most forts were really villages with a few simple buildings-some walled, others not.  Rarely provided with adequate food  Frequently not paid for long stretches  Conditions little better than those encountered by Native Americans

George Crook  Most successful of the Army’s Indian fighters. Also most knowledgeable of the ways of the Indians Also most knowledgeable of the ways of the Indians  Men traveled light-rode hard  Organized Indians as combatants-one tribe fighting another

End of Era  By late 1870’s, Indian power was broken on the Plains  With defeat of the Sioux, last of the major tribes was defeated.  Army proved generally effective in establishing peace in the west with a minimum of bloodshed 

Civil Disturbances  Industrial growth prompt labor disputes  National Guard was expected to deal with local issues Ill-prepared—under trained and sympathetic with Ill-prepared—under trained and sympathetic with  Some army officers see industrial warfare as new role for army Way of gaining public support Way of gaining public support

Strike of 1877  Railroad strike  National Guard fails to quell riots  Federal troops called out Confusing command structure Confusing command structure Civilians giving ordersCivilians giving orders Able to intimidate strikers & restore order Able to intimidate strikers & restore order  Good for congressional support of army

National Guard  Despite failures in labor disputes, a strong push for a citizen-soldier military force remains.  Organized militia under state control saw more strike duty during 19 th century.  Fear of revolt-need to improve and better arm militias  1879-National Guard Association  Between 1881 and 1892 every state revised its military code  Presented a challenge to the continued existence of regular forces.

Navy Developments  Physically disintegrates after the war Technological advances of the Civil War are rejected Technological advances of the Civil War are rejected Return to wooden sailing ships Return to wooden sailing ships Gave Navy maximum range with minimum supportGave Navy maximum range with minimum support  Navy that Congress wanted low cost force Anti-expansionistic Anti-expansionistic Simply interested in promoting American trade Simply interested in promoting American trade

Role of Navy  Commerce Protection  Showing the flag  Stopping foreigners from attacking American interests  Navy was well suited to this role. Don’t need steel and steam vessels Don’t need steel and steam vessels

Changing World Situation in late 19 th century  Global competition increases in the late 19 th century  European powers become increasingly imperialistic.  Risk emerges that markets previously open to the U.S. will be closed. China China Africa Africa Pacific Pacific

Movement for Change  Voices begin to call for a change in naval strategy  For markets to remain open, the navy needs a force capable of competing with Major European powers  1883—ABCD ships Steel ships with sails Steel ships with sails Ship names selected for maximum political support Ship names selected for maximum political support Small, poorly designed and under-armored— important first step Small, poorly designed and under-armored— important first step

Leaders for Naval Change  Alfred Thayer Mahan  Benjamin Tracy—Secretary of Navy Proposes a radical increase in the size of the navy. Proposes a radical increase in the size of the navy. Needs to sell to Congress Needs to sell to Congress Ships that will protect America’s shoresShips that will protect America’s shores Coastal defense was politically marketableCoastal defense was politically marketable Compromise Compromise Coastline sea-going battleships-5,000 mile rangeCoastline sea-going battleships-5,000 mile range No sailsNo sails

Samoa Incident(1889)  Dispute with Germany and Britain over control of Samoa (SW Pacific)  Naval forces from all three countries squared off in Apia harbor-  War prevented by massive hurricane  Settlement reached—US gains naval base at Pagopago.  US force, 3 wooden ships, ill-prepared to fight ships from major European powers

True Blue Saloon Incident(1891)  USS Baltimore in Valparaiso, Chile  Drunken brawl—2 deaths  Appears that war may break out with Chile  Congress and President realize that victory is far from assured  Chile has Navy almost equal to US Navy  Forces government to serious consider further expansion

Expansion in 1890’s  Naval Appropriations Act of 1890 Authorized the construction of three battleships— Indiana, Massachusetts and Oregon Authorized the construction of three battleships— Indiana, Massachusetts and Oregon 1 st true capital ships of the American navy1 st true capital ships of the American navy Heavily armored Heavily armored Powerfully gunned (13inch main batteries) Powerfully gunned (13inch main batteries) World Class vesselsWorld Class vessels  By time of Spanish American War, Navy was well on its way to being a world power.

Navy  Never faced the same challenges as the army  Always had accepted mission. Commerce protection Commerce protection Showing the flag Showing the flag  With changing world in late 19 th century, Naval leadership skillfully positioned itself to evolve.  Sp-Am war will push Navy to forefront