Engineering Expansion: The U.S. Army and Economic Development, 1787-1860

The book Engineering Expansion explores how the U.S. Army played a crucial role in shaping the American economy from the nation's founding to the eve of the Civil War. It built roads, bridges, and railroads, developed new technologies, and fostered western settlement. Politicians fought for control of the Army, and War Department bureaucracies also contributed to its development.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 11 November 2021
Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press

From the nation's birth to the eve of the Civil War, Engineering Expansion delves into the critical role of the U.S. Army in fostering economic development in the United States. William D. Adler, the author, poses a fundamental inquiry: how could the economy and the nation have experienced such rapid growth in the early years, considering the perceived weakness of the federal government? To address this question, Adler directs his attention to the United States Army, recognizing it as the strongest component of the early American state. Through its coercive actions in conquering territory, expanding the nation's borders, and maintaining public order and the rule of law, the Army played a pivotal role in shaping the American economy.

The Army's impact extended far beyond mere territorial expansion. It undertook the construction of roads, bridges, and railroads, employing skilled engineers and ordnance officers who developed innovative technologies. These advancements facilitated the westward settlement and the growth of nascent communities. The Army also played a crucial role in clearing rivers, enabling navigation and trade, and fostering manufacturing innovations that permeated the private sector.

Politicians vied for control over the Army, but the War Department bureaucracies also played a significant role in their own development. By influencing the preferences of elected officials, these bureaucracies shaped the policies and priorities that governed the Army's operations.

Engineering Expansion is a comprehensive synthesis of historical material, making it an invaluable resource for scholars and enthusiasts interested in early America, military history, and politics in the early United States. The book offers a deep understanding of the complex interplay between the Army, the federal government, and the broader economic landscape, shedding light on the mechanisms that propelled the nation's growth and development during this pivotal period.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780812253481