American Military History

Brian Linn, Texas A&M university

This course focuses on the events, personalities, technologies, and social changes that have shaped US military policy.  Themes: How has US military policy changed over time and in what ways has it remained constant? How have the US armed forces evolved and adapted in peace and war? How have Americans tried to balance their need for national security with civilian control of the military? How has the United States begun, waged, and ended its wars? How have veterans’ narratives informed understanding of war? How has the American public’s and the armed forces’ interpretation of the ‘lessons of history’ shaped military policy? How have Americans viewed their armed forces in popular culture?