Answer to Question #124230 in History for Adline Thomas

Question

Examining the history of the United States’ armed forces between 1860 and 1920, was the U.S. military a force for good or evil during this time period?

Answer 1

The history of the United States’ armed forces stretches back to 1775 when the Military was formed to fight land battles. For the Military to strengthen and expand, Congress passed different laws to address challenges the Army faced between 1860 to 1920. The Acts passed within this period included Enrollment Act 1863, Dick Act 1903, Army Medical Reserve 1908, National Defense Act 1916 and 1920. Congress wanted to transform the local militia into a more significant force different from what Constitutional Framers envisioned. These laws aimed at addressing Constitutional inadequacies for the Military, which made it difficult for the nation to mobilize adequate and quality forces to respond quickly to the challenges it faced. During this period, the United States faced many challenges in fighting major external wars. For example, the Civil War, which happened between 1861 – 1865, and the Spanish – American War of 1898. The internal revolt of Indian Wars, which started in the early years of the Republic and continued to late 19^th Century, was also a challenge faced. From 1860 to 1920, there was a significant gradual change in military policy, leading to an increase in the size and complexity of the United States Army. The period also saw how crucial the Constitution’s “raise and support armies” clause was necessary for training, mobilizing, organizing, and expanding the Military size. The mobilizing, expansion, and organization of the United States military forces during this period was for goodwill. The country was facing adverse challenges in wars that needed the support of a strong military.