Abstract
Detailed analysis of the book review dedicated to Jennifer Keene’s work, which characterizes her study of World War I and its influence on American society, can be found in Doughboys. The review points to Keene’s subtle analysis of citizen-soldiers. It shows how big changes were made within the military establishment and broader society during this pivotal period. The reviewer observes that Keene’s analysis helps uncover the many paradoxical consequences of remaking America based on war legacy.
The review also commends Keene for addressing the struggles and successes of black soldiers and other racial aspects in a wartime army. The reviewer observes that Keene’s analysis offers some helpful information about how racial dynamics in the military and society persist even today. Another aspect the reviewer focuses on as Keene’s merit is her analysis of complicated relationships between American soldiers and their French or German counterparts, which illuminates transformations experienced by the former in interplay with allies and adversaries.
The book review synthesizes Kene’s inquiry into World War I’s impact on American society and culture. The reviewer observes that Keene’s subtle approach provides insights into the fundamental changes within military leadership and societal structure after this transformative era. The review focuses on Keene’s treatment of citizen-soldiers, the persistence of racial undercurrent in military culture, and overall dynamics between American soldiers and their counterparts from France as well as Germany. The reviewer ends up stating that Keene’s analysis brings forth some practical aspects of the far-reaching implications of the war legacy for remaking America.
Introduction:
In “Doughboys, The Great War and the Remaking of America,” Jennifer Keene focuses on how World War I affected American culture. Keene tells the reader what the “doughboy” signifies and how American identity was transformed during the war. She discusses key themes of the book, such as citizen-soldiers’ lives, struggle, and racial violence during the war, replacing America after the war. Keene’s introduction sets the stage nicely for what follows so that the chapters deal with a meaningful time in American history when change was overwhelming. Keene’s description of the changed nature of military service and citizen soldier social contract between state and citizen soldiers provides a powerful starting point for further analysis. Keene lays the ground to search and establish a detailed discussion of how far-reaching this conflict brought the changes in America’s military organization’s demographics. Her beginning does an excellent job of setting up the rest of what will be an investigation into more general topic themes that define post-World War I America.
Chapter 1: “A Force to Call Our Own: Establishing a National Army”
In the first chapter, Keene discusses the mobilization of AEF and the problems associated with establishing a national army. She examines the conflicts between military purposes and perspectives of citizen-soldiers, stressing widespread soldiers’ frustration within troops and friction with army leaders. Keene’s analysis highlights the intricacies of emerging citizen-soldiers into a solid defense force and what it means for America from different military perspectives regarding future policy. She reveals how tensions between traditional military hierarchy and citizen-soldier demands often complicate attempts to forge a highly unified force out of an otherwise diverse civilian populace. Encompassing the mobilization of the AEF and obstacles to building a national army, Keene’s insights into American society and military establishment changes provide valuable insight regarding such metamorphic transformations.
Chapter 2: “Americans as Warriors”
Chapter 2 concentrates on the citizen-soldiers experiences in war, illuminating struggles and resolutions that defined the American experience of The Great War. Keene considers the challenges of discipline, racial violence, fraternization, and disaffected veterans to show a continuum of conflict between citizen soldiers and army commanders. Through thorough narratives of these struggles and their resolutions, Keene presents various ways World War I impacted American society & culture. Keene analyzes the nuances of discipline, racial violence, and those between individual soldiers versus militaries in this day because it is indeed through these aspects that define an American experience during World War 1. Through her detailed analysis, Keene provides a challenging reinterpretation of the citizen-soldier’s involvement in influencing the course of the war and its long-standing effect on American society and culture.
Chapter 3: “The Meaning of Obedience”
In Chapter 3, Keene considers obedience and discipline in the wartime army. She researches the paradoxes of personal liberties and national commitments, emphasizing the demands exacted from military discipline as opposed to American democracy. Keene strongly supports his analysis by revealing the intricacies of keeping a citizen army orderly and disciplined during wartime. She studies the difficulties of managing order and discipline in a citizens’ army during the war, revealing how it affected American democracy. Keene’s insightful interpretation reveals the complex processes within the military establishment and its long-term impact on remaking America after this war.
Chapter 4: “The Politics of Race: Racial Violence and Harmony in the Wartime Army”
In the fourth chapter, the turn of attention to race and its ramifications on war productivity and experience by African American soldiers. Keene analyzes racial discrimination and segregation within the armed forces, along with the role of black soldiers in fighting for victory. She also looks at the effects of war on the civil rights movement and black power struggles in America. In doing so, Keene reveals the intricacies of race relations in wartime and their long-standing impact on American culture. Keene helps us understand how these encounters have affected the broader American social and cultural legacy through a careful analysis of African American soldiers’ experiences and racial relations in the wartime army. Her study is rich with insights into the struggles and successes of African American soldiers and racial dynamics both in military matters and within a societal context at large.
Chapter 5: “Forging Their Own Alliances: American Soldiers’ Relations with the French and the Germans”
In chapter five, Keene discusses the dynamics between American soldiers and their French and German counterparts. She explores the complexities of cultural differences and how these relationships affect wartime activity. Keene also discusses the influence of these ties on American identity and reconstructing America after the war. With this discourse, Keene brings to our attention the diversity of international relations in wartime and its implications on American society. Through a layered analysis of the diversity issues posed by obedience and their impacts, Keene presents an engaging account of the nuanced relationships in the popular class. This subtle analysis highlights the obstacles and implications of obedience, bringing forth exciting perspectives on America’s rebirth after World War I.
Chapter 6: “The Legacy of the War for the Army”
The war legacies left for the American military are tackled in chapter six. Keene analyses the war consequences on military policy and problems of disarmament. She also studies how the war shaped American military life and created a new world order. Keene’s analysis reveals the significance of war for American military policy and changes associated with national identity. Keene provides an exciting presentation of interactions, challenges, and liaisons established on the battlefield through a critical analysis. This examination illuminates the remaking of America through transformative experiences for these soldiers and deals with, among others, their encounters during wartime with allies and adversaries.
Chapter 7: “War Memories: Reexamining the Social Contract”
In chapter seven, Keene discusses the effect of war memories on American society and culture. She analyzes the impact of war on American memory concerning settling individual experiences as part of national identity. Besides that, Keene also discusses the effect of war memories on America’s reconstruction after its end. In her analysis, Keene illuminates the strong position of war memory in American society and its impact on identity. Through exploring the radical changes and problems that occurred to this host of soldiers following World War II, Keene sheds light on how the military evolved into a defining reflection of American society. Her detailed analysis illuminates the repercussions of war for the army and America’s recreation.
Chapter 8: “The Yanks Are Starving Everywhere”: The Bonus March”
The last chapter deals with the Bonus March of 1932 and its consequences for American society and culture. Keene reviews the complexities of demobilization and looks into how this war changed American veterans. She also delves into how the Bonus March impacted American politics and the quest for social justice. By her analysis, Keene illuminates the long-term impact of warfare on American society and its identity change. Refreshing the social contract made by citizen-soldiers and the government during and following World War I, Keene provides a thought-provoking analysis of how this relationship has altered. Keene shows the renegotiated social contract and its legacy for American society through thoroughly analyzing veterans’ memories and experiences. Her analysis offers essential observations on the intricacies of this socially tumultuous age that dramatically altered America and American society.
Epilogue: “The Great War’s Final Legacy to the Country: The GI Bill”
In the epilogue of “Doughboys, The Great War and the Remaking of America,” Keene explains how WWI has impacted American society and continues influencing up to now. She focuses on the change in American nationality and how the war affected America for generations. Keene’s sharp evaluation highlights the long-term legacy of this war on America in creating a new nation, which ends this detailed study about an excellent landmark event within American history. It is also worth noting that the GI Bill, which granted benefits in education and finances to vets, serves as a war legacy and testimony of doughboys’ impact on American society. She thoroughly assesses how the GI Bill was transformative for American society and culture, revealing its significant changes to millions of veterans’ lives. By conducting a close analysis of World War I veterans’ political activity and struggles, Keene provides enlightening information on how far-reaching the effects of the GI Bill on remaking America. Using the nuanced analysis of legacy, her research in The Tintypes shows how war may not only transform but also leave implications on American society and culture even beyond.
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