This course examines American strategy and operational art during the middle part of the nineteenth century. During the first part of the course, we will look at the development of American grand strategy during the era of the early Republic, based on an understanding of America's place in the world, the genesis of the war with Mexico, the strategy and major campaigns of the Mexican War, and the way that Mexico prepared the generation of officers who led the armies of both the Union and Confederacy during the Civil War. During the second part, we will examine the strategy and campaigns of the Civil War. Civil-military relations in a republic is a major thread that runs throughout the course.
Instructors: Mackubin T. Owens is Professor of Strategy at the U.S. Naval War College. He has published widely on civilian-military relations, Lincoln, Grant, and the military strategy of the Civil War. John Waghelstein is Professor Emeritus of the U.S. Naval War College.