Shutting the Gates of Mercy the American Origins of Total War 1860-1880 Term Paper

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document

Total Length: 632 words ( 2 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 1

Page 1 of 2

Shutting the Gates of Mercy:

The American Origins of Total War

In his thesis, Shutting the Gates of Mercy: The American Origins of Total War, 1860-1880, Lance Janda asserts that the tactics used in the Civil War are the origins of the concept of total war for America. The definition of total war he chooses for his thesis lends itself especially well to his argument. Since the terminology was not used during the time of the Civil War, Janda may interpret its meaning with 20/20 hindsight and this may be his most glaring bias.

He supports his claim with numerous examples taken from the memoirs and letters of the Union Leaders he feels most responsible for the shift from Napoleonic and American tactics to those used in later wars. He even calls them a "trinity of generals" (Janda p. 9).

Had Janda quoted from Military Law or theory of the time he would not have had the same support for his argument.

Stuck Writing Your "Shutting the Gates of Mercy the American Origins of Total War 1860-1880" Term Paper?

View All Our Example Shutting the Gates of Mercy the American Origins of Total War 1860-1880 Term Paper

Have A Custom Example Essay Written

He reveals this in his citation notes from the U.S. War Department, citation 10 when he writes, "the order reflects official Army thought, and probably the consensus of most Union Commanders" (as cited Janda pg. 10). The order he refers to the "distinction between the private individual belonging to a hostile country and the hostile country itself" (Janda p. 9). Janda's bases his theory upon the actions of a specific few actions, which he generalizes to a broad change in tactics.

If one approached the actions of Sherman, Sheridan, and possibly McClellan from a different point-of-view, one might make the case that desperation drove their actions in the later years of the war. One might also observe that the "trinity" abhorred the actions they were forced to take. Grant's views on the battle of Shiloh, 6-7 April 1862 seem like an apology and an excuse for the destruction that he brought upon the South.….....

Show More ⇣

     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Shutting The Gates Of Mercy The American Origins Of Total War 1860-1880" (2003, November 21) Retrieved June 7, 2026, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/shutting-gates-mercy-american-origins-total-158725

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Shutting The Gates Of Mercy The American Origins Of Total War 1860-1880" 21 November 2003. Web.7 June. 2026. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/shutting-gates-mercy-american-origins-total-158725>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Shutting The Gates Of Mercy The American Origins Of Total War 1860-1880", 21 November 2003, Accessed.7 June. 2026,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/shutting-gates-mercy-american-origins-total-158725
   

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document
order custom essay example