Founding Fathers: Forging a Nation Through Innovation, Grit, and Fiscal Prudence
The Commanders of Scarcity
Before they were revered as statesmen and authors of a new republic, many of the Founding Fathers were first and foremost leaders in their local communities, tasked with the immediate and practical challenge of defense. The image of the citizen-soldier was not an abstract ideal but a lived reality. When danger loomed, it was men like Washington, Franklin, and Hamilton who stepped forward to raise and organize the militias that would form the backbone of the Revolutionary War.
George Washington: His extensive experience in the French and Indian War, where he commanded the Virginia militia, made him the natural choice to lead the Continental Army. His ability to rally and lead troops was honed long before the Revolution.
Benjamin Franklin: A man of many talents, Franklin was also a man of action. Recognizing the threat of French and Spanish privateers, he was instrumental in organizing a volunteer militia in Pennsylvania in the 1740s, a colony whose Quaker leadership was traditionally pacifist. During the French and Indian War, he not only helped provision British forces but also personally led a militia to build forts on the frontier.
Alexander Hamilton: As a young student in New York, Hamilton joined a volunteer militia company, the "Hearts of Oak." His natural leadership and grasp of military science quickly became apparent, and he was soon commissioned to raise his own artillery company for the defense of New York City. This unit, which he meticulously trained and equipped, would go on to distinguish itself in several key battles.
Thomas Jefferson and James Madison: While less known for their military exploits, both Jefferson and Madison served as colonels in their respective county militias in Virginia. Their willingness to take up arms demonstrates the widespread commitment to self-defense among the revolutionary generation.
John Adams: Although he did not serve in a military capacity, Adams was a driving force behind the creation of the Continental Navy and Marine Corps and, as head of the Board of War, was responsible for supplying the army, a role that was just as critical as any battlefield command.
This hands-on experience in raising, training, and leading troops gave the Founding Fathers a unique and intimate understanding of the sacrifices and challenges involved in securing liberty. It was this practical knowledge, as much as their philosophical ideals, that shaped the new nation they fought to create.
The United States was not born in a boardroom but forged in the crucible of war, shaped by the hands of its Founding Fathers who were not only philosophers and statesmen but, in many cases, soldiers and military innovators. Their contributions to the nascent nation extended far beyond the quill and parchment of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution; they were instrumental in the battlefield engagements and military advancements that secured American liberty. A look back at their efforts reveals a stark contrast with modern defense strategy and budgeting, offering valuable lessons for today.
The Founding Fighters: Commanders and Soldiers
While all the Founding Fathers contributed to the war effort, several distinguished themselves on the battlefield:
George Washington: The indispensable leader, Washington was the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. He was not merely a strategic leader but a battlefield commander who led from the front. His resilience in the face of numerous defeats, such as the Battle of Long Island, was as crucial as his celebrated victories. The daring Christmas night crossing of the Delaware River in 1776 to surprise the Hessian forces at the Battle of Trenton is a prime example of his audacity. He held the army together during the brutal winter at Valley Forge and, with the help of French allies, executed the decisive Siege of Yorktown in 1781, which effectively ended the war. Washington remains the only sitting president to have led troops in the field, doing so during the Whiskey Rebellion.
Alexander Hamilton: An orphan who rose through the ranks on sheer merit, Hamilton's military career was marked by his brilliance and ambition. He organized and commanded his own artillery company, which saw action in the battles of Trenton, Princeton, and Yorktown. His unit, the 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment, has the distinction of being one of the oldest and most decorated units in the U.S. Army, and it is still active today. As an aide-de-camp to Washington, he was at the heart of the strategic planning of the war.
Benjamin Franklin: While not a traditional military commander in the Revolutionary War, Franklin's earlier military experience was significant. During King George's War, he raised a militia to defend Philadelphia, and in the French and Indian War, he led troops to build fortifications. His most crucial contribution to the Revolution, however, was as a diplomat in France, where he secured the essential alliance and financial support that made the American victory possible.
Other notable contributors: Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, though they did not see combat, served as colonels in their respective county militias. John Adams, while never in the military, was a driving force behind the creation of the Continental Navy and Marine Corps and headed the Board of War.
Innovation in a Time of Scarcity
The American Revolution was not just a war of ideals but also one of technological and tactical innovation, often born of necessity:
Small Arms: The primary battlefield weapon was the smoothbore flintlock musket, such as the British Brown Bess and the French Charleville. While inaccurate at long range, they could be fired relatively quickly. However, the Americans also brought a unique advantage to the field: the American long rifle. With its rifled barrel, it was far more accurate at a distance, making it the perfect weapon for sharpshooters and skirmishers who could target British officers and disrupt formations. This tactical innovation played a key role in battles like Saratoga.
Artillery and Fortifications: The creative use of artillery and fortifications was another hallmark of the era. The use of gabions (wicker baskets filled with earth) allowed for the rapid construction of defensive works. The strategic placement of cannons, as seen at the Siege of Boston, could force a superior naval power to abandon a key position.
Naval Warfare and Subterfuge: The nascent Continental Navy, though no match for the Royal Navy in a fleet engagement, practiced a form of asymmetric warfare, raiding British shipping and disrupting supply lines. The era also saw the invention of the first military submarine, the Turtle, designed by David Bushnell. Though its attacks on British ships were unsuccessful, it represented a remarkable leap in naval innovation.
A Tale of Two Budgets: Revolutionary Scarcity and Modern Abundance
The contrast between the financial realities of the Revolutionary War and today's defense spending is staggering. The Continental Congress operated on a shoestring budget, constantly struggling to pay its soldiers and procure basic supplies. The army was often on the verge of collapse due to a lack of funds, and the winter at Valley Forge is a testament to the extreme hardship endured by the troops. The entire war was financed through a combination of domestic and foreign loans, and the printing of paper money that quickly lost its value.
Fast forward to the 21st century, and the United States defense budget is a colossal figure. The proposed defense budget for Fiscal Year 2025 is approximately $895.2 billion, and the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026 is over $1 trillion. This figure is more than the next nine countries' defense spending combined. While the global security landscape is undoubtedly more complex, the sheer scale of modern military spending would be unimaginable to the Founding Fathers, who achieved victory with a fraction of such resources.
Lessons from the Past: A Simplistic Approach to Modern Challenges
What can the resourcefulness of the Revolutionary era teach us today? A return to a "simplistic approach" to budgeting, inspired by the past, could offer a path forward:
Prioritize and Focus: The Continental Army, out of necessity, had to prioritize its objectives with ruthless clarity. A modern approach could involve a more rigorous and public debate about what constitutes a vital national security interest, focusing resources on those core priorities rather than trying to be everything to everyone, everywhere.
Embrace Asymmetric Advantage: The American revolutionaries could not match the British in conventional warfare, so they leveraged their strengths in unconventional tactics, such as sharpshooting and guerrilla warfare. Today, this could translate to a greater investment in asymmetric capabilities like cyber warfare, special operations, and a more agile and adaptable force structure, rather than a singular focus on expensive, large-scale platforms.
Innovation Born of Constraint: Scarcity often breeds innovation. By imposing stricter budget caps, the Department of Defense could be forced to foster a culture of creative problem-solving and a willingness to adopt more cost-effective solutions. This would mean a greater emphasis on upgrading existing systems and a more critical eye toward expensive, high-tech programs that may offer only marginal gains.
Alliances as Force Multipliers: The French alliance was the key to American victory. In the modern era, a renewed focus on nurturing and strengthening alliances can be a powerful and cost-effective way to enhance security. Burden-sharing and interoperability with allies can reduce the strain on the U.S. military and budget.
By studying the lessons of our own founding, we can find a path to a more sustainable and effective national defense, one that honors the legacy of the Founding Fathers not just in words but in the wise and prudent allocation of our resources.