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Economy, Efficiency, and the General Welfare: M.G. George Leach’s Doctrine for Motorizing the National Guard in the Interwar Era / JOHANNES ALLERT
Swansea University Author: JOHANNES ALLERT
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PDF | E-Thesis – open access
Copyright: The Author, Johannes R. Allert, 2024. Licensed under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-Only (CC-BY) License. Third party content is excluded for use under thelicense terms.
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DOI (Published version): 10.23889/SUthesis.67702
Abstract
Current scholarship casts the National Guard as a provincial and narrowly political organization. This dissertation reframes the institution as a catalyst for change in the interwar years of evolving technology, politics, and society. This research expands the argument beyond the debate over motoriz...
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Swansea, Wales, UK
2024
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| Institution: | Swansea University |
| Degree level: | Doctoral |
| Degree name: | Ph.D |
| Supervisor: | Trenta, Luca ; McVeigh, Stephen |
| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa67702 |
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| Abstract: |
Current scholarship casts the National Guard as a provincial and narrowly political organization. This dissertation reframes the institution as a catalyst for change in the interwar years of evolving technology, politics, and society. This research expands the argument beyond the debate over motorization by analyzing the geographic, social, and economic factors impacting the overall decision-making processes. It highlights how the National Guard’s adoption of motorization had a cascading effect on the regular army that eventually spurred vehicle standardization. Examining primary source material gleaned from period publications, state archives, the personal papers of George Leach, and other key figures, we gain fresh insight into the factors involved. Compared to other National Guard histories, this dissertation shifts the focus from the political power of the National Guard Association to the pivotal role Bureau Chiefs played in transforming the institution into a modern The findings uncovered in the research reveal three equally important aspects of National Guard culture. First, the dissertation showcases how the institution favored experiential learning beyond classroom instruction. Secondly, it stresses the significance that time restrictions played in the decision-making processes. Finally, it demonstrates the necessity for self-representation within the Bureau Department in advocating for change. The decision to motorize the National Guard’s artillery was based on economic and efficient principles that upheld its dual role as a reliable expeditionary and constabulary force. Consequently, this research expands our past perceptions of the National Guard as an agent of change. |
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| Keywords: |
National Guard, Militia, Interwar Era, George Leach, Motorization, Artillery, Horses, World War I, Douglas MacArthur, War Department |
| College: |
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences |