America at War

We continue our story of reform with a focus on the creation and establishment of a General Staff. Lead by a Chief of Staff, Secretary of War Elihu Root wanted to create an institution that would serve as the brain of the Army. Despite the best efforts of the General in Chief, Nelson Miles, the legislation to create a General Staff passed Congress. Unfortunately, after Root left government service, the Adjutant General, Fred C. Ainsworth, circumvented what Root wanted. After years of keeping the Army under his thumb, he left, allowing the Chief of Staff Leonard Wood to continue to shape the institution for the future.

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In this episode we focus on one of the most pivotal moments in American Military History. When Elihu Root was confirmed as Secretary of War, he needed a War Department that could meet the task at hand - pacifying the Philippines. Well aware of the short comings of the Army that emerged during the Cuban campaign, Root embarked on reform. We will focus on the issues Root faced and what he wanted to accomplish, setting up for a conversation about the creation of the General Staff. These innovations were the first steps in building a defense policy that could meet the needs of the twentieth century.

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With the assumption of an Empire and growing economic and military power, the United States flexed its muscles in the Philippines, Central America, and the Caribbean. Since the nineteenth century, the United States wanted to keep European powers and interests out of countries in close proximity to its borders. With the success of ridding the hemisphere of European powers in Cuba and the Philippines, the United States exerted itself. For a generation, the Marines would intervene in Cuba, Nicaragua, Haiti, and Santo Domingo. It was the beginning of the American century.

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Once Americans landed in Manila, tensions simmered between the Filipino independence movement and emerging power of the United States in the Pacific. Attempts to come to any accommodation failed. Emilio Aguinaldo led an Army but failed to wrest control from the United States. Rather than give up the fight, Aguinaldo pursued a guerilla campaign. While they put up a good fight, they failed to secure independence. In a struggle that lasted longer than the campaign against Cuba, the United States was now saddled with the consequences of pursuing an empire. While they won over many Filipinos, tensions remained.

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In this episode we will wind up the story of the campaign against Spain. After the fall of Santiago de Cuba, American forces landed on the island of Puerto Rico. With the capture of the largest city on the island, the colony was for the most part secured quickly. Half way around the world, American forces concentrated on taking the political and cultural center of the Philippines - Manila. Attempting to sideline the Filipino independence movement, the Americans compelled Spanish forces to surrender, shutting out the Filipinos from securing independence. As we will see, this would lead to a protracted conflict after Spain gave the archipelago to the Americans.

mment, concern, or compliment? Contact us at [email protected]. You can also leave comments and your questions on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/americaatwarpodcast/. Thanks for listening!

In February of 2016 I embarked on a new project, a podcast that would go through the timeline of American Military History. Ten years later we are finally on the cusp of the twentieth century. This episode will focus on where we are headed in the coming months and some general reflections. Thank you to all of my loyal listeners. I appreciate your support, no matter in what form it comes in. Thanks and here is to another ten years!

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The story of the Spanish American War continues. In this episode we focus on the actions of the US Army and Navy in the aftermath of General Shafter's first moves. After capturing El Caney and San Juan Hill, the Spanish squadron that was in the harbor of Santiago de Cuba left their anchorage to face the Americans. In a lopsided fight, the American victory effectively marked the end of the Cuban campaign. Despite Shafter's own reservations concerning the siege of Santiago, facing insurmountable issues of their own, the Spanish garrison capitulated rather than fight to the death. Take a listen!

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Welcome to the first episode of the year! We are continuing our series on the Spanish-American War. We are transitioning from Tampa, Florida to the Island of Cuba. The commanding general of V Corps, William Shafter, landed outside of Santiago de Cuba. Rather than reduce the fortifications at the mouth of the harbor, Shafter was ready to move against the Spanish garrison in the city. He chose to attack Spanish outposts at San Juan and Kettle Hills and El Caney. The breezy optimism that the Americans had were dashed by a robust Spanish defense. While the Americans were able to successful capture the Spanish positions, it came at a higher cost than anticipated. The battle may have made the career of Theodore Roosevelt, but it shook Shafter's confidence.

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Once war was declared in April, plans to send an American expeditionary force evolved. Once a Spanish flotilla was trapped in the harbor of Santiago de Cuba, rather than striking at Havana, the decision was to send the force to Santiago. The size and complexity of the force grew from a projected 5,000 men to 25,000. The Corps commander, General William Shafter, was overwhelmed. Tampa was completely inadequate for a port and Shafter had few people he could call on to help prepare the force for embarkation. In May through early June, it proved difficult to properly assemble the force and its supplies, delaying their departure and impacting their performance. Take a listen!

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We are continuing our narrative on the Spanish-American War. In this episode we will concentrate on Admiral Dewey's victory in Manila Bay in the spring of 1898 as well as naval movements around the island of Cuba. Dewey's easy victory would open opportunities in the Philippines, but more on that in later episodes. The Army, pressured with more men than they anticipated, struggled to supply and arm the waves of volunteers. While supply organs slowly ramped up production, there was a deficit in modern fire arms that would dog the Army throughout the war. On the eve of the twentieth century, the long rifles that would dominate the century entered the scene. It took time to manufacture and equip troops, meaning that when Americans landed on the shores of Cuba, there were armed with second hand weapons.

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