The Rise of the National Guard: The Evolution of the American Militia, 1865-1920
(Part of the Studies in War, Society, and the Military Series)
Select Format
Select Condition 
Book Overview
From the beginning of our republic the concept of a citizen soldiery, organized through militias, has undergirded American military philosophy. This nation fought the Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Mexican War, and began the Civil War, relying on volunteer militias and only a skeletal professional military force. The Civil War demonstrated the need to adapt state militias to the requirements of modern war, yet the United States retained its original philosophy in what became the National Guard.
The Rise of the National Guard describes in thorough detail the evolution of the state militia system to a more federally controlled National Guard during the crucial years of development. The subject is important because the "citizen soldier" and "militia-national guard" traditions form one of the two pillars on which American military policy is built; a professional, regular military force is the other. Jerry Cooper's detailed research, unique examination of the experience of individual states, and careful analysis make this work the standard treatment of the subject.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0803264283
ISBN13:9780803264281
Release Date:December 2002
Publisher:Bison Books
Length:246 Pages
Weight:0.70 lbs.
Dimensions:0.6" x 5.5" x 8.5"
Related Subjects
HistoryCustomer Reviews
1 rating
critical to understanding today's Guard
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
A well-researched and -written work on how state militias evolved into the early National Guard, in the years between the Civil War and WWI. It was this period in which state militias, a force originally designed by the Framers to be an alternative to a standing army, only then took on some cohesion -- and gradually came under national control. (Mr. Cooper does provide brief reviews of pre-1865 and post-WWI militia to put all this in context). Given that the National Guard today (June 2005) is a major part of national effort both in home defense and in the war overseas, this book is a fine start in understanding how the Guard began -- and that beginning is during the period this book covers. Recommended especially for legal and serious military scholars. If this is a first volume, to be continued into 1920-2000 as the Guard became a predominantly national defense asset (and less and less that of the States), then Mr. Cooper's next work on the Guard will be something to look forward to.
Copyright © 2025 Thriftbooks.com
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information | Cookie Policy | Cookie Preferences | Accessibility Statement
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
