Colonel Alexander Doniphan and the 1st Regiment of the Missouri Mounted Volunteers in the Mexican-American War: A Historical Case Study on the Complexities of Cultures and Conflict in New Mexico
Abstract
As was demonstrated in the contemporary cultural milieus of Iraq and Afghanistan, military leaders are often not aware of the complex societal frameworks and underlying tensions they are functioning in. The actions of Colonel Alexander Doniphan and the 1st Regiment of the Missouri Mounted Volunteers in the Mexican-American War in 1846 present an interesting case study in the complexities of conflict. Their experience in the New Mexico region dealing with local Native American groups offers a valuable opportunity to study how military actions influence local populations and cultures, a region's governance, and future policy-making at the international level. The social complexities of conflict and the effect that military actions have on it, is a topic that military professionals should study profusely. It is one characteristic of the nature of war that will never change with time or technology. As such, numerous lessons can be learned from Doniphan's experience, which can be applied to future military endeavors by the American military when it finds itself again operating in a multifaceted Operational Environment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 15, 2018
- Accession Number
- AD1088919
Entities
People
- Patrick Jr W. Naughton
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College