Military Theory and Political Reality in the American Civil War
Date of Award
2005
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Social Sciences
First Advisor
Harvey, David
Keywords
United States Civil War, McClellan, George Brinton, Grant, Ulysses S., Military Theory, Jomini
Area of Concentration
History
Abstract
The Union Army fought under the outdated Jominian military theories. West Point graduates were educated in this antiquated military strategy. It failed to integrate the complexities of modern warfare (of which the Civil War is an example). In this thesis, I look into the Civil War as a modern war. The objectives of George Brinton McClellan, General Ulysses S. Grant, and the Committee on the Conduct of the War/the Radical Republicans form the basis of the inquiry. I uphold the widely held belief that Major-General George Brinton McClellan was unfit for command, based on the only true measure of a general: his war record. While the Radicals pushed for modern war, they lacked the technical military sophistication to understand how to accomplish this. In order to fill this gap, they needed Grant.
Recommended Citation
Slavkin, David, "Military Theory and Political Reality in the American Civil War" (2005). Theses & ETDs. 3581.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/3581
Rights
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