“War is the father of all things”, so said Heraclitus, and it’s true of modern America in particular. It has not been a good thing for those who cherish Liberty above all else. It has been a good thing for people who believe government can be a force for good (for the federal government would not have the power, without war). Before the Civil War the standing U.S. Army consisted of 3 regiments. Even in those days that was a tiny army. At its largest the Navy had about 40 significant warships, many of which would be in reserve (mothballs) at any given time. This was the design of the founding fathers, who considered a large standing military a threat to the people’s liberty and a tool of despots.
The Civil War changed everything. Fighting the war required a huge modern Federal Army and Navy. Men got used to the idea of serving in the standing military (instead of militia service). Occupying the southern states after the war required a larger standing army. The experience of Imperial France occupying Mexico during the Civil War made leaders rethink the old militia system (militias had not done so well fighting a professional army in the War of 1812). And with the final great push of settlers westward, the larger professional army was useful in suppressing the Indians, which had largely been conducted by state and territorial militias before the War.
America in the latter half of the 19th century became a culture accustomed to militarism. The federal government, growing more rapidly in the aftermath of the war for many reasons, found the bureaucratic disciplines of a military carry over well to other government services.
WWI required not only a rapid military build-up, but for the first time in our history the federal government directing industrial production. That was a new genie let out of the bottle. WWII more of the same within one generation; Cold War immediately following introduces continuing state of war that doesn’t much affect our lifestyle; Korea, the first major shooting war without an explicit declaration of war by Congress; Viet Nam, more of the same – and all the time ever-larger Leviathan finds new areas it can intervene in society (not passing judgment here, just saying).
The Civil War changed everything. Fighting the war required a huge modern Federal Army and Navy. Men got used to the idea of serving in the standing military (instead of militia service). Occupying the southern states after the war required a larger standing army. The experience of Imperial France occupying Mexico during the Civil War made leaders rethink the old militia system (militias had not done so well fighting a professional army in the War of 1812). And with the final great push of settlers westward, the larger professional army was useful in suppressing the Indians, which had largely been conducted by state and territorial militias before the War.
America in the latter half of the 19th century became a culture accustomed to militarism. The federal government, growing more rapidly in the aftermath of the war for many reasons, found the bureaucratic disciplines of a military carry over well to other government services.
WWI required not only a rapid military build-up, but for the first time in our history the federal government directing industrial production. That was a new genie let out of the bottle. WWII more of the same within one generation; Cold War immediately following introduces continuing state of war that doesn’t much affect our lifestyle; Korea, the first major shooting war without an explicit declaration of war by Congress; Viet Nam, more of the same – and all the time ever-larger Leviathan finds new areas it can intervene in society (not passing judgment here, just saying).