From the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century, the role of the American military, as well as its acceptance by the American people, changed immeasurably. The Civil War proved the American (Union) military a significant force that, even with its failures in some areas of the war, could triumph through strategic adaptation. As the 19th century wore on, and America became a larger economic and political power in the international system, the American military’s responsibilities would morph into duties that had not only the national security of the United States in mind, but also that of international security. With the Spanish-American War, the American military became a part of the international power struggles that would continue throughout the next century. The military, in the First and Second World Wars would finally see full acceptance from the American people as a vast institution that needed a standing group of forces, and, in the end, would become the most significant military power of the free world. For this assignment, you must create a slideshow presentation that explains how and why the military’s role changed between the 1860s and the 1940s. In other words, how did the domestic image and the international role of the American military evolve as a result of participation in the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, and the two World Wars? In this presentation, you must do the following:
Explain how the strategies of the Union during the Civil War lead to its victory and to the augmentation of the image and power of the American military.
Explain how the Spanish-American War may have indicated a desire of the United States to be a part of the international system and how winning the war changed the United States and its military’s role in the world.
Explain how American mobilization for World War I revealed the major problems with the lack of a large standing army/military, if the United States was going to be a major player in the international system.
Explain how the American performance in the First World War impacted its role in the world.
Explain the precautions the United States took between World War I and World War II to make sure mobilization, training, and strategic planning would not be a problem in its next endeavor in world affairs.
Explain how American participation in World War I, both domestically and internationally, impacted the way the United States was able to successfully participate in the World War II.
Explain how World War II augmented the role of the United States military in the world and how it changed the military’s role in America and its image in the eyes of Americans.
Conclude with a strong statement (or bullet point list) that illustrates what the international role of the American military was by the end of World War II.
Requirements:
Your slideshow MUST contain AT LEAST 10 slides.
Your slideshow MUST address ALL of the points listed above.
Your slideshow MUST have an over-arching argument (thesis) that you plainly state.
Your slideshow CANNOT contain word for word information from Professor Stevens’ powerpoints or from the textbook. ALL language must be in your own words.
Tips for completing this assignment:
Think of the assignment as creating a detailed outline of the main question.
Use keyword headers and sub-headers that illustrate the topics of each slide.
Condense material on each topic into small bullet point lists of fragments of sentences. Do NOT just use keywords unless they are headers or sub-headers.
Make sure that as you move through ideas you are making logical transitions to the next issue.
You may use pictures and maps to illustrate your points or add flare to your presentation; however, if you use only an image on a particular slide, that slide does not count in your minimum slide count of 10.
