The American Civil War was the defining event that shaped civil-military relations in the United States. This master's thesis explores the multifaceted dynamics between civilian and military leadership during this crucial period in American history. It examines the relationship between civilian political authority and the military establishment, while incorporating the related roles of Congress, public opinion and international influences. The research explores the decision-making processes, the balance of power, and the impact of leadership styles and personalities on civil-military interactions during times of armed conflict.
This thesis explores in particular the significance of President Lincoln's leadership, his ability to manage divergent military personalities, and the challenges of maintaining civilian control over the armed forces while adapting to the unprecedented demands of total warfare. The findings generated by this thesis will contribute to the scholarship surrounding the American Civil War and the interactions between civilian and military authorities during an existential national crisis, shedding light on the evolution of these dynamics in subsequent conflicts within the broader framework of American civil-military relations.
","abstract_html":"<p>The American Civil War was the defining event that shaped civil-military relations in the United States. This master's thesis explores the multifaceted dynamics between civilian and military leadership during this crucial period in American history. It examines the relationship between civilian political authority and the military establishment, while incorporating the related roles of Congress, public opinion and international influences. The research explores the decision-making processes, the balance of power, and the impact of leadership styles and personalities on civil-military interactions during times of armed conflict.</p> <p>This thesis explores in particular the significance of President Lincoln's leadership, his ability to manage divergent military personalities, and the challenges of maintaining civilian control over the armed forces while adapting to the unprecedented demands of total warfare. The findings generated by this thesis will contribute to the scholarship surrounding the American Civil War and the interactions between civilian and military authorities during an existential national crisis, shedding light on the evolution of these dynamics in subsequent conflicts within the broader framework of American civil-military relations.</p>","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Callahan, Riley"],"institution":null,"degree_name":"M.A. in International Studies","degree_level":"Masters Thesis","degree_discipline":null,"degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":["Paul R. Viotti"],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2024,"date_issued":"2024-06-15T07:00:00Z","date_published":"2024-06-15T07:00:00Z","updated_at":"2026-07-24T02:01:48Z","subjects":["American Civil War","American governance","Civil-military relations","American Politics","International Relations","Military and Veterans Studies","Political Science","Public Administration","Social and Behavioral Sciences"],"languages":["English (eng)"],"rights":["Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.
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This thesis explores in particular the significance of President Lincoln's leadership, his ability to manage divergent military personalities, and the challenges of maintaining civilian control over the armed forces while adapting to the unprecedented demands of total warfare. The findings generated by this thesis will contribute to the scholarship surrounding the American Civil War and the interactions between civilian and military authorities during an existential national crisis, shedding light on the evolution of these dynamics in subsequent conflicts within the broader framework of American civil-military relations.
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This thesis explores in particular the significance of President Lincoln's leadership, his ability to manage divergent military personalities, and the challenges of maintaining civilian control over the armed forces while adapting to the unprecedented demands of total warfare. The findings generated by this thesis will contribute to the scholarship surrounding the American Civil War and the interactions between civilian and military authorities during an existential national crisis, shedding light on the evolution of these dynamics in subsequent conflicts within the broader framework of American civil-military relations.
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"],"dc:subject":["American Civil War","American governance","Civil-military relations","American Politics","International Relations","Military and Veterans Studies","Political Science","Public Administration","Social and Behavioral Sciences"],"dc:title":["The Foundations of Civilian Supremacy: Civil-Military Relations During the American Civil War"],"thesis:degree_level":["Masters Thesis"],"thesis:degree_name":["M.A. in International Studies"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-24T02:01:48Z"}