The military history of America

The military history of America

Introduction

The military history of America dates back to the revolutionary war, where the Americans fought Great Britain for independence in the years 1775-1783. Since then, America has fought several wars. Due to the way the military tactics and approaches have evolved, there is a notable difference between the wars since the Korean War and the previous Wars. At this time, there was much enlightenment and technological invention, which led to another dimension of approaching war altogether. For example, the invention of jets engine in the 1940 led to a different approach in battles as America realized a new strength in the use of jets to fight. This tactic was not used in the previous wars, something that was enforcement to the military. Due to earlier Wars that America was involved in and the experiences, they had already realized that mere human resources were not enough to win the battles. They realized they needed other necessities like enough weapons, food, and finances during the wars. This period also saw a change in the rifles that were used previously to rapid-fire ones. This essay will look in detail at these and other changes.

Body

One of the changes that occurred in the American war since the Korean War is the new version of rifles. In the year 1964 M14 rifle was replaced by M16. The M16 was a fired rifle that was light in weight, gas-operated, and with a caliber of 5.56mm. It was made of steel and with a receiver of aluminum alloy. The M16 was improved by the year 1967 and standardized as M16A1. The M16 rifle was designed because it was believed to perform well in wet and dirty conditions following the experience with the Vietnam War. This rifle has ever since been associated with the American military. However, there were complaints surrounding this rifle like the stopping power and penetration of the cartridge. This situation has seen the evolvement of weapons to modern guns. For example, the M16A4. Other changes in terms of weapons were the use of tanks. For example, the M48 tank that was used US troops to mount machine guns. History has it that. The M48 was of great help since it could travel far, an approximate of 30mph. The M60 was another machine gun commonly used by the American troops in war since the Korean War. This gun had the capability of firing 500 bullets consecutively in a 2000 yards range (History.com editors). Other weapons used included the grenades and the explosives. Earlier the military fighters used weapons like theM14 rifle, battleships, parachutes, and swords, among others.

By the late 1950s, most military personnel had used the propellers, driven armored vehicles, submarines, and the war jets. At this time, the wars took a turnaround altogether. During the Vietnam War, the military relied heavily on airpower. The use of airplanes to throw bombs by the US air force was a common thing during this period. There was also increased use of toxic chemicals like defoliants. The use of airpower was crucial in wars in modern times. Apart from using airplanes to fight, they were used to transport supplies like food, weapons, and additional firepower to ensure the troops were well supplied. The aircraft were also used to transport the soldiers to the battlefields and evacuate those that were killed or wounded during the wars (History.com editors). Apart from the ground fights, the modern battles by the US have employed the air fights.

Different triggers cause earlier wars and modern wars in America. While some of the triggers of American conflicts in the past continue to cause war even today, there are various causes of war today. For example, during the First World War, some of the triggers of the war were military power and imperialism. With the evolution of the United States, today, it stands as the superpower. Unlike in the past in modern-day society, there is liberalism and independence, which allows each country to learn its affairs. Therefore there is no territorial dominance like in the past. In the earlier days, nations had formed alliances, and they engaged wars in defense of countries they were in partnership with. Another major cause of American wars before the Korean War was religion; in recent time, religion has very little influence on wars, if any. Among the reasons for battles in modern America is the conflict in ideologies. For example, the Korean and Vietnam War are a result of differences in ideologies where one nation thinks they are superior over the other. While the wars in the 18^th century were about the most powerful countries, the modern wars in America are about retaining the position as the world superpower (Leckie). Other examples of triggers of war in the contemporary history of America is the clash in cultures. For example, Islamic terrorism in recent times. Muslims reject western beliefs and culture, and as a result, they embark on war to destroy it. These have happened in recent years between America and countries like Iraq and Iran, which is believed is due to Iraq’s wealth in oil. In the year 2003, America invaded Iraq, a war that was caused by information that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. America has also engaged in wars to revenge on countries it had an issue with in the past.

The results of wars through history show a difference in the aftermaths of wars between the earlier wars and the recent wars in America. For example, the 18^th and 19^th-century wars lasted decades, while the late 20^th and 21^st-century wars were short-lived. The 19^th and early 20^th century wars have recorded the highest number of deaths in American military history. Fewer battles have been experienced in the 21^st century that in the 18^th and 19^th centuries. It is so probably because one of the reasons nations engaged in wars was to gain territorial authority. The past wars led to mass destruction, which caused a considerable decline in economies of the countries involved. Even though conflicts still affect economies of the affected countries, it cannot be compared with the earlier days. The aftermaths 18^th all way through to the early twentieth century resulted in famine, economic depression, and diseases, among others (Dudziak).

In the modern wars, the military is hailed, but they are not known to those that hail them. They are seen as most fierce and competent, but people lack the closeness with the military like any other institution. Unlike in the past the modern society, especially in America, only admires the military in TVs but cannot identify with them. It shows a change in media culture. The achievements of the army in the past were heroic, but they remained real. In the modern history of war, the distance between the military and the people is a big one. This distance has been brought about the reduced number of men in uniform over the years. In the earlier days, almost 75% of the population had a close relative in the military, and there were better connection points than today (fallows). It shows how the society of today does not take military seriously.

In modern times, America has understood that apart from large troops, other supplies are equally important. Some of the resources, like lack of enough weapons, food, and finances, caused defeat in the earlier wars. It was probably because the nation then was not endowed as it is now and did not have enough experience in the wars, especially during the 18^th century. Due to past experiences and the superiority of the United States since the 20^th century, the military has won most of the battles, which can be attributed to proper preparation. For example, in terms of weapons, which are highly effective, and other necessities like finances and enough food (History.com editors).

It is believed that despite the spending in wars, the wars that were fought since the Korean War have led to tremendous economic growth. The economic growth at the onset of wars is contributed by the enormous spending by the government to have enough supplies for the war. The wars also boast economies through the creation of employment and new technologies. However, long terms of conflict have led to economic decline. Yet, according to history, recent wars have led to a growth of the economy, which cannot be compared with earlier wars. There have been technological developments, infrastructure, and a decline in income inequality, among others. It can be noted that most wars that were fought before the Korean wars were funded through debts (Wright). For instance, the Second World War. Most of the subsequent wars, however, were supported by increased taxes. The Afghanistan and Iraq wars, however, were financed by deficit spending.

It is also worthy to note that the machines used for battle in earlier wars were more harmful than modern weapons, which are characterized by high technology know-how. Before the Korean War, the troops used weapons such as arrows and bowls, machine guns, and fighting ships, among others. The battles in the contemporary world, however, have included the use of deadly weapons like chemicals, and explosives. Some of the chemicals used during these wars were so dangerous that some led to breathing problems and deaths if one was not treated in time. Others left permanent scars on the victims, which further escalated the wars or led to more wars due to the cruelty of these wars and the injuries which acted as a reminder of the cause. One of the deadliest chemicals used is VX. It is harmful because it affects the nervous system and persists in the atmosphere when releasing even for days. It acts speedily in that symptoms can show after seconds of inhalation. Some of the symptoms include salivation and the chest becoming tight. Another deadly chemical used in the later wars was Sarin. It affects the nerve, and a small size like headpin is enough to kill a person. It spreads in the environment so quickly. Symptoms include salivation, tearfulness, paralysis, and even death. Phosgene is another chemical that achieved its success in battles because it can be easily manufactured. In the year 1915, the use of phosgene caused 120 deaths and 1069 casualties (Esfandiary). However, it should be noted that due to the lethal and permanent effects of most of these chemicals, they are banned today for use as weapons of war.

Conclusion

According to the above research, America has been into war since time immemorial, and it is these wars that have shaped it to modern America we know today. For example, the American Revolution led to the development of states and nationalism. However, it should be noted that there are numerous differences between the earlier wars that happened before the Korean War and after the Korean War. The differences range according to various contributing factors. For example, the causes of war. In the earlier days, some of the things that America fought for included self-independence during revolution war, nationalism, imperialism, and military power. By the time of the Korean War, it had already achieved this, which shifts the reason for war today to other causes. Other differences were the weapons used. Modern wars saw great of airpower and more powerful rifles. The results of the fights also differed with time where while earlier the wars led to economic depression, in modern times, it led to economic growth. Most of these differences can be attributed to the time in history in which they occurred.

References

Dudziak, Mary L. War time: An idea, its history, its consequences. OUP USA, 2012.

Esfandiary, Dina. 2014. “The Five Most Deadly Chemical Weapons Of War”. National Interest. https://nationalinterest.org/feature/the-five-most-deadly-chemical-weapons-war-10897.

Fallows, James. 2015. “The Tragedy of the American Military”. The Antlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/01/the-tragedy-of-the-american-military/383516/.4f

History.com editors. 2019. “Weapons Of The Vietnam War”. History. https://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/weapons-of-the-vietnam-war.

Leckie, Robert. The wars of America. New York: Harper & Row, 1981.

Wright, Chester W. “The more enduring economic consequences of America’s Wars.” The Journal of economic history 3, no. S1 (1943): 9-26.