ABSTRACT

Now in its third edition, American Military History examines how a country shaped by race, ethnicity, economy, regionalism, and power has been equally influenced by war and the struggle to define the role of a military in a free and democratic society.

Organized chronologically, the text begins at the point of European conflict with Native Americans and concludes with military affairs in the early 21st century, providing an important overview of the military’s role on an international, domestic, social, and symbolic level. The third edition is fully updated to reflect recent developments in military policy and the study of military history and war and society, thus providing students a foundational understanding of the American military experience.

This book will be of interest to students of American history and military history. It is designed to allow instructors flexibility in structuring a course.

chapter 1|20 pages

The First American Way of War

chapter 2|28 pages

The Colonies and Wars for Empire

chapter 4|21 pages

Challenges for a New Nation

chapter 5|22 pages

The Second War of Independence

chapter 6|22 pages

Agents of Empire

chapter 7|19 pages

Toward a Professional Military

chapter 8|32 pages

Civil War and Reconstruction

chapter 9|29 pages

Becoming a Modern Military

chapter 10|21 pages

‘Over There’

chapter 11|20 pages

Learning and Preparing

The 1920s and 1930s

chapter 12|25 pages

World War II

chapter 13|22 pages

Postwar Reform and New Challenges

chapter 14|21 pages

Challenges of the Cold War

chapter 15|22 pages

Vietnam

chapter 16|24 pages

Reform and Adjustment for a Changing World

chapter 17|22 pages

Into the Twenty-First Century