The speed at which America rose to premier global power is unprecedented. After it declared its independence in 1776 and won it officially in 1783, its self-confidence was firm, if not somewhat premature, as demonstrated by the results of the War of 1812. But between those two wars, the young country launched a small navy that dealt with a problem on the other side of the Atlantic—the Barbary states.
After learning from its errors in the War of 1812, the United States focused primarily on westward expansion, defeating Native American nations and the recently independent Mexicans. Independence, survival, and expansion became elements of America’s strategies of offense and defense. In his new book “To Dare Mighty Things: U.S. Defense Strategy Since the Revolution,” Michael O’Hanlon highlights America’s 250 years of evolving strategies.
