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Books > Social sciences > Warfare & defence > Military life & institutions
This groundbreaking analysis of Confederate demobilization examines
the state of mind of Confederate soldiers in the immediate
aftermath of war. Having survived severe psychological as well as
physical trauma, they now faced the unknown as they headed back
home in defeat. Lost Causes analyzes the interlude between soldier
and veteran, suggesting that defeat and demobilization actually
reinforced Confederate identity as well as public memory of the war
and southern resistance to African American civil rights. Intense
material shortages and images of the war's devastation confronted
the defeated soldiers-turned-veterans as they returned home to a
revolutionized society. Their thoughts upon homecoming turned to
immediate economic survival, a radically altered relationship with
freed people, and life under Yankee rule-all against the backdrop
of fearful uncertainty. Bradley R. Clampitt argues that the
experiences of returning soldiers helped establish the ideological
underpinnings of the Lost Cause and create an identity based upon
shared suffering and sacrifice, a pervasive commitment to white
supremacy, and an aversion to Federal rule and all things northern.
As Lost Causes reveals, most Confederate veterans remained diehard
Rebels despite demobilization and the demise of the Confederate
States of America.
Colin Powell epitomizes the American success story, yet his heroism
is uncommon and unique. Born in New York City to Jamaican-immigrant
parents, Powell entered a recently desegregated army, rising to
become its highest-ranking member. He is a Republican at a time
when a vast majority of African Americans consider themselves
Democrats. He is one of the most famous Americans alive, yet has
spent much of his professional life in behind-the-scenes positions.
Beginning with his humble origins, this biography traces Powell's
experiences from childhood, moving from his early days in the
military through his climb to the highest echelons of power in
Washington D.C. A timeline clarifies the key events in Powell's
life and career, and a bibliography covers print and electronic
sources for further research. This concise biography is ideal for
students and general readers interested in the story behind one of
America's most important and respected citizens, and the struggles
an African American must face and overcome to succeed in
contemporary America.
This unique study argues that the draft dodgers who went to
Canada during the Vietnam War were not always the anti-war radicals
portrayed in popular culture. Many were the products of stable,
conservative, middle class homes who were more interested in
furthering their education and careers than in fighting in
Southeast Asia. The conflict in Vietnam was just one cause among
many for their deep sense of disaffection from the land of their
birth. These expatriates remained quintessentially American,
because evading the draft was in their opinion consistant with the
very best American traditions of individualism and resistance to
undue authority or state servitude.
Although the war was not the only or even the primary reason for
their immigration to Canada, it was the final action in response to
an increasing sense of alientation from America that many had felt
since childhood. Kusch's work also raises questions about what it
means to be an American. Intriguingly, it suggests the actions of
these expatriates should be seen not merely as a drastic response
to the Vietnam war, but as a commitment to the core ideals of
American and European thought since the Enlightenment.
In the last decade there has been a plethora of books about Irish
soldiers in the First World War, yet the fact that recruitment to
the British forces continued into the interwar period and the
Second World War has received comparatively little attention.
Steven O'Connor's work addresses this gap by providing a
much-needed assessment of officer recruitment to the British
military after Irish independence. Based on archival research, oral
testimony and a database of 1,000 officers it examines the reasons
why young Irish people took the king's commission. It explores
their subsequent experiences and identity in the forces, and places
them within the wider context of Commonwealth recruitment to the
British forces. Drawing on evidence from police reports, debates in
town councils and local newspapers this volume also offers the
first comprehensive account of reactions in independent Ireland to
British recruitment and the shared military past.
This book demonstrates through country case studies that, contrary
to received wisdom, Latin American militaries can contribute
productively, but under select conditions, to non-traditional
missions of internal security, disaster relief, and social
programs. Latin American soldiers are rarely at war, but have been
called upon to perform these missions in both lethal and non-lethal
ways. Is this beneficial to their societies or should the armed
forces be left in the barracks? As inherently conservative
institutions, they are at their best, the author demonstrates, when
tasked with missions that draw on pre-existing organizational
strengths that can be utilized in appropriate and humane ways. They
are at a disadvantage when forced to reinvent themselves.
Ultimately, it is governments that must choose whether or not to
deploy soldiers, and they should do so, based on a pragmatic
assessment of the severity and urgency of the problem, the capacity
of the military to effectively respond, and the availability of
alternative solutions.
Globally, where faith and political processes share the public
space with indigenous populations, religious leaders of tolerant
voice, who desire to transcend the conflict that often divides
their peoples, are coming forward. Affirming and enabling these
leaders is increasingly becoming the focus of the reconciliation
efforts of peace builders, both internally and externally to
existing conflict. By way of theoretical analysis and documented
case studies from a number of countries, Military Chaplains as
Agents of Peace considers Religious Leader Engagement (RLE) as an
emerging domain that advances the cause of reconciliation via the
religious peace building of chaplains: A construct that may be
generalized to expeditionary, humanitarian, and domestic
operational contexts. An overview of the benefits and limitations
of RLE is offered and accompanied by a candid discussion of a
number of the more perplexing questions related to such operational
ministry: Influence Activities, Information Gathering for
Intelligence Purposes, and the Protected (Non-Combatant) Status of
Chaplains.
This provocative new study traces the origins of the modern
military-industrial complex to the Progressive ideology of the late
nineteenth end early twentieth centuries. Borden examines the
crucial changes that occurred in World War I and its aftermath,
when the progressives deliberately broadened the functions and
philosphoy of the military, with profound consequences for the
social, political, and economic life of the nation. Switching from
pacifism to "preparedness" during World War I, the Progressives
transformed the army--hitherto an exclusivist "frontier"
force--into a potent instrument for social engineering. Borden
explores this transformation and shows how the social management
techniques and elitist biases of progressivism affected military
training. Under the control of civilian administrators, the War
Department was charged with effacing illiteracy, instilling
patriotism, enforcing homogeneity, and morally enlightening the
nation's young men. The author discusses the continuing
"socialization" of the military, as defense budgets begin to
include social betterment programs to justify appropriations and
ensure their uninterrupted flow. She looks at the intimate
civilian-military ties that developed as the military increasingly
involved itself in civil matters, producing a web of alliances that
was to play a major role in creation of the military-industrial
complex. A penetrating analysis of the use of the military for
social control, this study will be of interest to academics and
students in American history, military history, and political
science.
The concept of 'othering' which can be understood as the process of
differentiation from the Self has been a basic tenet of the war
story since war stories were first told. This practise of
deliberate differentiation is indicative of the fact that war
stories are essentially about the production of identity. The aim
of this book, therefore, is to unravel some of the gendered
ideologies that underpin the link between state identity and
foreign security policy by looking at a certain case, state and
foreign security policy. In particular this volume explores the
identity of the United States through military documents on
perception management in conflict from 1991-2007 shedding light on
the 'othering' and the 'selfing' that occurs in these particular
war stories. In doing so it lays bare the gendered ideologies that
underpins US identity between these years as well as exploring
potential spaces for alternatives. Thus, this book ventures a
detailed and unique look at a particular aspect of the gendered
reproduction of the state.
This collection examines soldiers as combatants, tourists, family
men and as citizens. In particular, chapters trace the theme of the
'citizen soldier' through the initiatives of the period that placed
civilian men under arms. In these ways and more, this new book
explores 'soldiering' as an activity, an identity, a career and a
way of life.
Since the early days of the American Republic, African Americans
have been active participants in the military history of our
nation. However, until the late 1940s, their experiences in the
military, for the most part, occurred during the period of racial
segregation, which often resulted in their being assigned to
non-combat duties. Nevertheless, in spite of their status, they
continued to exhibit loyalty to their country and served honorably.
Students of American history are familiar with great military
leaders whose heroic deeds during the military conflicts of the
19th and 20th centuries have become a part of our historical
legacy. Much has been written about them as highly visible symbols
of courage and leadership. Yet others, equally deserving remain
unknown and have not received the same visibility in terms of
public recognition. When I became aware of the life and career of
General Roscoe Robinson, Jr., the first United States Army African
American four-star general, I was surprised to learn so few
people-even among my own generation of African Americans-had ever
heard of him. Even in one of the most comprehensive history books
about African Americans - From Slavery to Freedom, written by the
well-known scholar, John Hope Franklin, Roscoe Robinson is not
mentioned. In authoring this biography, I seek to fill this gap in
our knowledge of this remarkable man who, from humble beginnings,
rose to the pinnacle of military success through perseverance,
discipline, and commitment to duty and country. Whenever I write
something of an historical nature pertaining to the life and times
of African Americans, I am always reminded of the admonition of one
of America's most distinguished men of color - William E. B. Du
Bois. It was he who-in a presentation in 1898 before the American
Academy of Political and Social Science-advanced the notion that
understanding black life in America required a systematic
assessment of the influence of broad historical, cultural, social,
economic, and political forces that shaped the times. There is no
way of denying the subject of race in the military. It was an
inescapable condition, which has riveted American social, cultural,
and political systems before and during Robinson's time in the
military. I have tried to convey that circumstance as accurately as
possible. Indeed, in many respects, from his early childhood
through his retirement years, Robinson lived through one of the
most historic periods in race relations in this country - both
within and outside the military. Today, men and women of all races
make immense sacrifices to serve their country, defend our
liberties, and protect our interests around the world; often
without the gratitude and recognition, they deserve. It is my firm
hope that this book will not only serve as an inspiration to all
who read it, especially to the current generation of young African
Americans (including my children and grandchildren) about whom
General Robinson cared deeply, but that it will enable the readers
to develop a greater appreciation for those who serve in the
military. About the Author: Leon L. Haley, PhD, is a professor
emeritus in the Graduate School of Public and International
Affairs, University of Pittsburgh. Over twenty-five year tenure at
the University, he served in a number of capacities, including an
Associate Dean, Acting Dean, and a Vice Chancellor for Student and
Public Affairs. With African American history as an avocation, in
addition to The Quiet One, he is the author of From the Staunton to
the Allegheny: an African American Family Journey. Specializing in
strategic planning, he now serves as a consultant for nonprofit
organizations.
This book explores how public cultures shape women's military
participation within the European Union. It analyzes the way in
which different policy options have been elaborated in the United
Kingdom, France and Germany and examines patterns of women's
military participation across societies.
A blockbuster. . . sure to be controversial. A major work, not just
in military sociology but among concerned citizens generally. The
Hollow Army is one of a kind in that it completely runs against the
conventional wisdom that today's American Army is an effective
fighting force. Henderson's argument is brilliantly conceived,
backed with data and penetrating insight. . . . The scholarship is
extremely sound. . . and the use of data is peerless. Charles C.
Moskos Chairman, Inter-University Seminar on Armed Forces and
Society William Darryl Henderson maintains that despite highly
successful marketing efforts to sell the image of a new quality
army to the American public, the Congress, and to the U.S. Army
itself, the Army has, in fact, not risen above mediocre performance
levels. Henderson dispels the myth of today's quality army, and
explores the long buried and avoided MPT (manpower, personnel, and
training) issues that are expanded on in succeeding chapters. The
24 charts, 13 tables, and 9 chapters of this compelling and timely
investigation factually demonstrate the real army story. Henderson
insists, in an introductory chapter, that everything, even the bad
news must be told. Chapter 2 suggests that the nature and
significance of the army's mission are changing and gaining in
importance and the exploration of the actual number of combat
troops in Chapter 3 concludes that the most important principle of
war can no longer be effectively employed by the U.S. Army. The
vital areas of training, personnel, and the small combat unit are
addressed in the next four chapters. Chapter 8 details the
unfocused character of the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) Corps.
The final chapter suggests that if the army is to perform its
stated function and achieve maximum value for the manpower and
funds allocated, a rigorous structural-functional systems analysis
and a searching review of underlying assumptions must be
undertaken. This ambitious and eye-opening examination should be
required reading not only for students and scholars of defense and
military studies but for Congressional members, government
officials, army personnel, and U.S. taxpayers as well.
Karen Shelby addresses the IJzertoren Memorial, which is dedicated
to the Flemish dead of the Great War, and the role the monument has
played in the discussions among the various political, social and
cultural ideologies of the Flemish community.
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