The Modern American Approach to Warfare History Experience

The Modern American Approach to Warfare
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Introduction
The American approach to warfare was first explained by historian Russell Weigley in his classic work, The American way of War. He perceived that the American style of war revolved around the idea of attaining a devastating military triumph over the enemy. According to Weigley, Americans considered war an alternative to negotiation instead of part of a continuing bargaining process. In his first description of an American way of war, Weigley argued that America’s approach to warfare consisted of a unique methodology: - one of attrition and annihilation.. He explained that America’s military forces engaged in wars of attrition in the early years of modernization because they were relatively weak. From the Civil War through the Vietnam War, as America encountered political, economic, and military development, its robust military capabilities changed from an attrition strategy to an annihilation strategy. The latter strategy depended on large masses of forces that used irresistible power to destroy the enemy. This strategy was the surest way to victory. Modern American warfare has changed drastically through technological advancement, tactics and strategies, and leadership, which have shaped how the US military conducts wars.[Echevarria, Antulio J. Toward an American way of war. Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College. 2004: 1-40.] [Ibid, 07] [Keravuori, Rose Lopez. Lost in translation: The American way of war. Journal Article 17, no. 8 (2011): 1-10.] [Ibid, 02]
Ways in which the American methods of Warfare have changed throughout the Modern American Military History Experience
Since the beginning of Modern America, the United States Army has trained, equipped, and prepared for warfare. They have traditionally utilized conventional military operations against their opponents. However, although, arguably, Americans get frustrated with limited wars, especially those with a counterinsurgency factor, Neeson contended that America’s approach to war has been counterproductive during the modern era. The twentieth century saw the transition from two-dimensional warfare and strategic behavior on land and sea to include the ocean depths, air, space, and cyberspace environments. After World War II, the US moved from having a small number of equal allies to a military pre-eminence. During the second half of the twentieth century, cultural, political, and military power and influence dominated America. This dominance still possesses the country today. The following are how the American ways of warfare have changed throughout the modern era.[Neeson, Kieran. The American Way of War: Time for Change. E-International relations 2, no. 1 (2019): 1-5]
Weaponry
The American warfare approach changed through weaponry, with the most lethal change being the introduction of rifling to muskets. In previous battles, the musket covered a maximum range of 70-110 meters. Tactics involved moving troops to musket range, firing a volley, and charging the enemies with the musket's bayonet. However, an aimed rifled musket could fire a bullet up to 1300 meters away. This significantly changed the nature of warfare to the defenders’ advantage. At sea, the greatest innovation that changed how Americans conducted war was the introduction of ironclad warships, facilitated by more sophisticated steam engines, heavy naval guns, and advances in metallurgy. Ironclads were designed for multipurpose, serving as coastal defense ships, high-seas battleships, and long-range cruisers.[Lenards, Bethany. The Evolution of Military Tactics: A Series. Honorary Thesis, 2019: 1-14.] [Ibid, 08] [Ibid, 10]
The entry of the US into World War I also saw a change in the use of weaponry. Infantry warfare had relied on close-range combat, but World War 1 popularized machine guns that could bring down soldiers from a distance. With the barbed wire and mines, this weapon made it difficult and dangerous to move across open land. This era marked the beginning of new developments on the battlefield to achieve victory.[Lenards, Bethany. The Evolution of Military Tactics: A Series. Honorary Thesis, 2019: 1-14.] [Chin, Warren. Technology, war, and the state: past, present, and future. International Affairs 95, no. 4 (2019): 765-783.]
The new developments were influenced by industrialization that led to the mass production of weapons like artillery, aircraft, tanks, and naval vessels. Initially, the US military used French aircraft for reconnaissance and close-air support that would ultimately increase the efficiency of tactics and operations. Long-range tactics were created through firepower to change the battlefield's terrain options as a new style of war. Tanks also made long-range tactics possible, although the forces limited communication and movement. This limitation reduced the commanding officers’ ability to control the war.[Ibid, 769] [Keravuori, Rose Lopez. Lost in translation: The American way of war. Journal Article 17, no. 8 (2011): 1-10]
The request to develop over 1800 tanks displayed the impact of this innovation on the American approach to war. This request introduced tactics that saw the tanks maintain speed, mobility, and firepower. The aircraft, tanks, and other instruments of the war saw a major upgrade. Although most tools and concepts used in World War II were not new, the US military updated obsolete weapons like tanks, artillery, aircraft, and machine guns to achieve its objective of keeping modernized weapons in play during war. Every advanced technology used in this war led to successful operations and new methods like anti-submarine warfare.[Neeson, Kieran. The American Way of War: Time for Change. E-International relations 2, no. 1 (2019): 1-5] [Lenards, Bethany. The Evolution of Military Tactics: A Series. Honorary Thesis, 2019: 1-14.]
The first notable advancement in weaponry during Modern American warfare was the iconic M1 Garand manufactured by Springfield. It used a gas-powered recoil system that enabled it to send accurate firepower down the combat zone effectively. Its semi-automatic ability allowed a soldier to fire eight, thirty rounds in a fraction of time. M1 Garand became one of the greatest improvements because it helped Americans win wars. Another weapon that advanced during the period was artillery. With the emergence of tanks and their efficiency on the battlefield, there was a need to improve artillery. As a result, the Americans created the Howitzer M101 to answer the need for advanced artillery. Firing a 105mm round could successfully hit a target up to 12000 yards away. This artillery helped Americans quickly take a defensive position as their way of fighting.[Ibid, 10] [Ibid, 10] [Ibid, 12] [Ibid, 10.]
Air warfare
Another change occurred through air warfare. During Civil War, American forces used a hydro...