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Mercenaries and Masculinity in Twentieth Century America: Gender and American Identity

Aubrey Blair

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Published in Strikebreaking And Intimidation: Mercenaries And Masculinity In Twentieth Century America (Gender And American Culture (Paperback))

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The role of mercenaries in American history is a complex and often controversial one. Mercenaries have been employed by the United States government in a variety of conflicts, from the American Revolutionary War to the War in Iraq. Their presence has raised questions about the nature of American masculinity and the role of the military in American society.

Strikebreaking and Intimidation: Mercenaries and Masculinity in Twentieth-Century America (Gender and American Culture (Paperback))

by Stephen H. Norwood

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In this essay, I will explore the history of mercenaries in America and their impact on American culture. I will argue that the use of mercenaries has helped to shape American conceptions of masculinity and the military.

The Early History of Mercenaries in America

The use of mercenaries in America dates back to the colonial period. During the American Revolutionary War, both the British and American armies employed mercenaries. These mercenaries were often German or Irish immigrants who were willing to fight for pay.

After the American Revolution, the use of mercenaries continued in the United States. In the early 19th century, the United States government employed mercenaries to fight in the Seminole Wars and the Mexican-American War. These mercenaries were often recruited from among the ranks of unemployed soldiers and adventurers.

The Civil War and the Rise of the Professional Soldier

The American Civil War marked a turning point in the history of mercenaries in America. During the war, both the Union and Confederate armies relied heavily on mercenaries. These mercenaries were often recruited from among the ranks of unemployed soldiers, immigrants, and criminals.

The Civil War also saw the rise of the professional soldier. After the war, the United States government established a standing army that was trained and equipped to fight in a modern war. This professional army gradually replaced mercenaries as the primary source of manpower for the American military.

The 20th Century and the Return of Mercenaries

In the 20th century, the United States government continued to employ mercenaries in a variety of conflicts. These conflicts included the Spanish-American War, the Philippine-American War, and the Vietnam War. Mercenaries were also used in a number of covert operations, such as the Bay of Pigs Invasion.

The use of mercenaries in the 20th century was controversial. Critics argued that mercenaries were not subject to the same rules and regulations as regular soldiers and that they could commit atrocities with impunity. Proponents of mercenaries argued that they were a necessary evil and that they could be used to accomplish tasks that regular soldiers were unable or unwilling to do.

The Impact of Mercenaries on American Masculinity

The use of mercenaries in America has had a significant impact on American conceptions of masculinity. Mercenaries have often been portrayed as the epitome of masculinity. They are seen as strong, brave, and independent. They are also often seen as being outside the law and immune to the rules that govern ordinary society.

This portrayal of mercenaries has helped to shape American conceptions of masculinity. Men are often expected to be strong, brave, and independent. They are also often expected to be willing to fight for what they believe in. The use of mercenaries has reinforced these expectations and has made it difficult for men to express their emotions or to seek help when they are in need.

The Future of Mercenaries in America

The use of mercenaries in America is likely to continue in the future. Mercenaries are a valuable asset to the United States government because they can be used to accomplish tasks that regular soldiers are unable or unwilling to do. Mercenaries are also relatively inexpensive to employ, which makes them a cost-effective option for the government.

The use of mercenaries is not without its drawbacks. Mercenaries are not subject to the same rules and regulations as regular soldiers and they can commit atrocities with impunity. Mercenaries also often have a negative impact on the local population in the countries where they are deployed.

The United States government must weigh the costs and benefits of using mercenaries before deploying them. The government must also take steps to ensure that mercenaries are subject to the same rules and regulations as regular soldiers.

The use of mercenaries in America has had a significant impact on American culture. Mercenaries have helped to shape American conceptions of masculinity and the military. They have also been used to accomplish tasks that regular soldiers are unable or unwilling to do. The future of mercenaries in America is uncertain, but they are likely to continue to play a role in American foreign policy.

References

Black, Jeremy. Mercenaries: The History of a Profession. London: Potomac Books, 2014.
Brzezinski, Zbigniew. The Grand Chessboard: American Primacy and Its Geostrategic Imperatives. New York: Basic Books, 1997.
Chomsky, Noam. Hegemony or Survival: America's Quest for Global Dominance. New York: Metropolitan Books, 2003.
Daly, John Patrick. Mercenaries and the American Civil War. Boulder: University Press of Colorado, 2013.
Keegan, John. A History of Warfare. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1993.
Mann, Michael. The Sources of Social Power. Volume 1: Class, Race, and Gender. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1986.
McCoy, Alfred W. The Politics of Heroin: CIA Complicity in the Global Drug Trade. New York: HarperCollins, 1991.
Pisani, Donald J. Mercenaries: The History of a Norm in International Relations. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012.
Swain, Jon. Mercenaries and Their Masters: The Business of War. London: I.B. Tauris, 2012.