As I threaten to become more and more of an historical artifact myself I have become much more of a student of the past. Two periods of particular interest for me have been the American Revolution and the Civil War. I just read an interesting passage in the book, “Almost a Miracle: The American Victory in the War of Independence.” Many times previously in this book, and others I have read on the same topic, references were made to the difficulties of the fledgling American Army to secure enough troops, then equip and feed them. Not enough people volunteered for the standing full time Army. The militias, while helpful and often heroic, were inconsistent at best, and "often irresolute in battle". Congress dithered and the economy was on the verge of collapse. The French, who were helping us in order to help themselves against the shared enemy of England, were considering pulling out and reducing aid to the colonies. Anyway, the comment of note was one made by George Washington late in 1780, lamenting that after over four years of war Americans were, “…a commercial and free people, little accustomed to heavy burdens.”
This comment was provoked by years of desperate warfare with few victories. While the army struggled for basics like food, weapons, shoes and willing fighters (i.e. volunteers) who went months without pay, many people in the country resented the Army and the entire effort, and not just those who remained loyal to the crown. In Philadelphia, in particular, Washington noted and resented a burgeoning and unconcerned merchant class that carried on as if nothing was different. This is certainly at odds with the popular notions of the Minute Men and the gallant little country’s battle with imperial power where citizens rose up as one and fought together for freedom and democracy. The reality is messier than that, as most realities tend to be.
In relative terms, I guess we have always been fat cats willing to let the few fight for us, always looking for the profit angle and seeking the most comfortable solutions first.
Apparently its a pretty good formula…..
