profmarkwilson.bsky.social
@profmarkwilson.bsky.social
History professor at UNC Charlotte; research and writing on history of the US military-industrial complex. Author of The Business of Civil War (2006); Destructive Creation: American Business and the Winning of World War II (2016).
Reposted by profmarkwilson.bsky.social
"Death by Lightning," Episode 3 reaction thread:
• Praise for the series
• Major players: What's right/wrong/missing
• What was machine politics? How did the spoils system work? Why do they keep talking about the New York Custom House?
Let's get wonky!
1/14
• Praise for the series
• Major players: What's right/wrong/missing
• What was machine politics? How did the spoils system work? Why do they keep talking about the New York Custom House?
Let's get wonky!
1/14
November 19, 2025 at 7:22 PM
"Death by Lightning," Episode 3 reaction thread:
• Praise for the series
• Major players: What's right/wrong/missing
• What was machine politics? How did the spoils system work? Why do they keep talking about the New York Custom House?
Let's get wonky!
1/14
• Praise for the series
• Major players: What's right/wrong/missing
• What was machine politics? How did the spoils system work? Why do they keep talking about the New York Custom House?
Let's get wonky!
1/14
In time for the holidays, now pre-orderable, the long awaited Oxford Handbook of American Military History, edited by Sam Watson. 32 chapters by top scholars in the field, including @bethbailey.bsky.social , @notabattlechick.bsky.social , @karadixonvuic.bsky.social, yours truly, and many more.
global.oup.com
November 16, 2025 at 10:22 PM
In time for the holidays, now pre-orderable, the long awaited Oxford Handbook of American Military History, edited by Sam Watson. 32 chapters by top scholars in the field, including @bethbailey.bsky.social , @notabattlechick.bsky.social , @karadixonvuic.bsky.social, yours truly, and many more.
Three points about the “Department of War” talk:
1. Hegseth called for the name change before he was nominated.
2. The term used historically, for the most part, was actually “War Department.” Its sister was the Navy Department.
3. Only Congress can change the name.
1. Hegseth called for the name change before he was nominated.
2. The term used historically, for the most part, was actually “War Department.” Its sister was the Navy Department.
3. Only Congress can change the name.
Trump: "We have officially renamed the Dept of Defense back to the original name, Dept of War. And remember we won World War 1, we won World War 2, we won everything in between. We won everything that came before. And then we brilliantly decided to change the name. We became politically correct"
November 11, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Three points about the “Department of War” talk:
1. Hegseth called for the name change before he was nominated.
2. The term used historically, for the most part, was actually “War Department.” Its sister was the Navy Department.
3. Only Congress can change the name.
1. Hegseth called for the name change before he was nominated.
2. The term used historically, for the most part, was actually “War Department.” Its sister was the Navy Department.
3. Only Congress can change the name.
From Ben Dooley on the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant: In the late 2000s, the Army “gave the operator two choices: maintain the equipment in a state of readiness or use the excess capacity to make rounds for the commercial market. The contractor chose the latter…” www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...
AR-15 Ammunition at a Crime Scene? Good Odds This Army Plant Made It.
www.nytimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 1:54 PM
From Ben Dooley on the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant: In the late 2000s, the Army “gave the operator two choices: maintain the equipment in a state of readiness or use the excess capacity to make rounds for the commercial market. The contractor chose the latter…” www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...
Reposted by profmarkwilson.bsky.social
My new book will be out in early December 2025 via
@mitpress.bsky.social
Details at: mitpress.mit.edu/978026255348...
#HistSci #Computing #History #Books 🗃️
@mitpress.bsky.social
Details at: mitpress.mit.edu/978026255348...
#HistSci #Computing #History #Books 🗃️
November 9, 2025 at 1:31 PM
My new book will be out in early December 2025 via
@mitpress.bsky.social
Details at: mitpress.mit.edu/978026255348...
#HistSci #Computing #History #Books 🗃️
@mitpress.bsky.social
Details at: mitpress.mit.edu/978026255348...
#HistSci #Computing #History #Books 🗃️
Reposted by profmarkwilson.bsky.social
Pentagon is shifting weapons purchases to ‘a wartime footing’, Hegseth announces
www.theguardian.com/us-news/live...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/live...
Pentagon is shifting weapons purchases to ‘a wartime footing’, Hegseth announces - live
‘The defense acquisitions system as you know it is dead,’ Hegesth says in a speech to industry leaders, military commanders and officials
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Pentagon is shifting weapons purchases to ‘a wartime footing’, Hegseth announces
www.theguardian.com/us-news/live...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/live...
Reposted by profmarkwilson.bsky.social
Happy Publication Day and congratulations to Dr. @kschake.bsky.social !
A brilliant scholar of civ-mil relations, her prose is joyful and well crafted, and her narrative, compelling.
This is a foundational, urgently needed text. I cannot recommend more strongly.
www.amazon.com/State-Soldie...
A brilliant scholar of civ-mil relations, her prose is joyful and well crafted, and her narrative, compelling.
This is a foundational, urgently needed text. I cannot recommend more strongly.
www.amazon.com/State-Soldie...
The State and the Soldier: A History of Civil-Military Relations in the United States
Amazon.com: The State and the Soldier: A History of Civil-Military Relations in the United States eBook : Schake, Kori: Kindle Store
www.amazon.com
October 28, 2025 at 10:57 PM
Happy Publication Day and congratulations to Dr. @kschake.bsky.social !
A brilliant scholar of civ-mil relations, her prose is joyful and well crafted, and her narrative, compelling.
This is a foundational, urgently needed text. I cannot recommend more strongly.
www.amazon.com/State-Soldie...
A brilliant scholar of civ-mil relations, her prose is joyful and well crafted, and her narrative, compelling.
This is a foundational, urgently needed text. I cannot recommend more strongly.
www.amazon.com/State-Soldie...
Reposted by profmarkwilson.bsky.social
Honored to receive a State History Award from the Historical Society of Michigan for my book Freedom Enterprise!
October 5, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Honored to receive a State History Award from the Historical Society of Michigan for my book Freedom Enterprise!
Reposted by profmarkwilson.bsky.social
Welcome to the resistance, director of the Eisenhower library in Kansas who would not let the president steal a historic sword
BREAKING: The director of the presidential library and museum in Abilene, Kansas, said he was suddenly told to resign or be fired. He refused to give the Trump administration a historic sword from the museum’s collection.
Director of Eisenhower Library in Kansas ousted after refusing to give Trump administration a sword
The director of the presidential library and museum in Abilene, Kansas, said he was suddenly told to resign or be fired. He refused to give the Trump administration a historic sword from the museum’s collection.
www.kcur.org
October 2, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Welcome to the resistance, director of the Eisenhower library in Kansas who would not let the president steal a historic sword
Reposted by profmarkwilson.bsky.social
@kschake.bsky.social reflects on yesterday's address by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Trump at a gathering of the country's top military officials. www.lawfaremedia.org/article/hegs...
Hegseth’s Unusual, Partisan, and Dangerous Convening of Military Leaders
If the defense secretary’s event allayed concerns of DEI in the military for some, it aggravated concerns of a politicized military for all.
www.lawfaremedia.org
October 1, 2025 at 9:23 PM
@kschake.bsky.social reflects on yesterday's address by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Trump at a gathering of the country's top military officials. www.lawfaremedia.org/article/hegs...
Reposted by profmarkwilson.bsky.social
The ultimate aim here is that people will no longer expect the military to serve the public at large, but that its goal and purpose is to advance the interest of one faction or party in politics. 10/
September 30, 2025 at 3:55 PM
The ultimate aim here is that people will no longer expect the military to serve the public at large, but that its goal and purpose is to advance the interest of one faction or party in politics. 10/
Reposted by profmarkwilson.bsky.social
Report to Congress on Navy’s Columbia-class Submarine Program — USNI News
news.usni.org/2025/09/30/r...
news.usni.org/2025/09/30/r...
Report to Congress on Navy's Columbia-class Submarine Program - USNI News
The following is the Sept. 25, 2025, Congressional Research Service report to Congress, Navy Columbia (SSBN-826) Class Ballistic Missile Submarine Program: Background and Issues for Congress. From th...
news.usni.org
September 30, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Report to Congress on Navy’s Columbia-class Submarine Program — USNI News
news.usni.org/2025/09/30/r...
news.usni.org/2025/09/30/r...
Reposted by profmarkwilson.bsky.social
Lockheed, Pentagon finalize deal for 296 F-35s
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/09/lockheed-pentagon-finalize-deal-for-296-f-35s/
Lockheed, Pentagon finalize deal for 296 F-35s
The $24.3 billion deal covers 148 aircraft each in production lots 18 and 19, closing out negotiations that have stretched since 2023.
breakingdefense.com
September 30, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Lockheed, Pentagon finalize deal for 296 F-35s
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/09/lockheed-pentagon-finalize-deal-for-296-f-35s/
Reposted by profmarkwilson.bsky.social
Took about 20 years. And I never thought a book about enslavers using deputization to give themselves policing power would be relevant to our times. But we are where we are.
My book, White Power: Policing American Slavery, is now available for preorder.
a.co/d/29c7EIP
My book, White Power: Policing American Slavery, is now available for preorder.
a.co/d/29c7EIP
September 29, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Took about 20 years. And I never thought a book about enslavers using deputization to give themselves policing power would be relevant to our times. But we are where we are.
My book, White Power: Policing American Slavery, is now available for preorder.
a.co/d/29c7EIP
My book, White Power: Policing American Slavery, is now available for preorder.
a.co/d/29c7EIP
Reposted by profmarkwilson.bsky.social
Once again, if you teach or conduct research in higher ed, please join @aaup.org
AFT, AAUP Launch Nationwide Campaign, ‘Higher Education: Saving Lives, Building Futures, Powering the Economy’
WASHINGTON—The AFT and the American Association of University Professors, together representing the country’s largest and most powerful force of higher education workers, launched a major national cam...
www.aft.org
September 19, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Once again, if you teach or conduct research in higher ed, please join @aaup.org
Paul Starr @starrprospect.bsky.social reflects on the ways in which his new book differs from the history served up in the latest Robert Reich memoir. prospect.org/culture/book...
How Today’s America Came About
Two different accounts from two of the Prospect’s co-founders
prospect.org
September 10, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Paul Starr @starrprospect.bsky.social reflects on the ways in which his new book differs from the history served up in the latest Robert Reich memoir. prospect.org/culture/book...
The “War Department” thing was one of Hegseth’s hobbyhorses well before his nomination.
Hegseth:
“the next president should… change the name of the Department of Defense back to the War Department.”
The War on Warriors (2024), p. 184
“the next president should… change the name of the Department of Defense back to the War Department.”
The War on Warriors (2024), p. 184
September 5, 2025 at 12:39 AM
The “War Department” thing was one of Hegseth’s hobbyhorses well before his nomination.
Reposted by profmarkwilson.bsky.social
“The professional soldier” by Morris janowitz
“The paradoxes of professionalism in International security by @risabrooks12.bsky.social
“The right to be right” by Peter Feaver (anything by him is good)
“Supreme command” by Eliot cohen
These are all good primers I think
“The paradoxes of professionalism in International security by @risabrooks12.bsky.social
“The right to be right” by Peter Feaver (anything by him is good)
“Supreme command” by Eliot cohen
These are all good primers I think
August 20, 2025 at 11:03 PM
“The professional soldier” by Morris janowitz
“The paradoxes of professionalism in International security by @risabrooks12.bsky.social
“The right to be right” by Peter Feaver (anything by him is good)
“Supreme command” by Eliot cohen
These are all good primers I think
“The paradoxes of professionalism in International security by @risabrooks12.bsky.social
“The right to be right” by Peter Feaver (anything by him is good)
“Supreme command” by Eliot cohen
These are all good primers I think
Reposted by profmarkwilson.bsky.social
In case you missed it, here is "Foreign Relations of the United States, 1981–1988, Volume XLIV, Part 1, National Security Policy, 1985–1988" history.state.gov/historicaldo...
August 7, 2025 at 7:41 AM
In case you missed it, here is "Foreign Relations of the United States, 1981–1988, Volume XLIV, Part 1, National Security Policy, 1985–1988" history.state.gov/historicaldo...
Reposted by profmarkwilson.bsky.social
Mine and Julia Macdonald's new podcast on autonomy--from mines to missiles to drones--is now available! Follow the people behind America's unmanned arsenal from the revolutionary war to Afghanistan, Ukraine, and looking to the future.
www.hoover.org/research/epi...
www.hoover.org/research/epi...
Episode 1: The Hand Behind Unmanned – America’s Quest For Autonomous War
What are unmanned weapons and where did America’s quest for autonomy begin?
www.hoover.org
June 5, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Mine and Julia Macdonald's new podcast on autonomy--from mines to missiles to drones--is now available! Follow the people behind America's unmanned arsenal from the revolutionary war to Afghanistan, Ukraine, and looking to the future.
www.hoover.org/research/epi...
www.hoover.org/research/epi...
Reposted by profmarkwilson.bsky.social
MIT Political Science is hiring this fall, with junior lines in both American Politics (members.apsanet.org/CAREERS/eJob...) and IR. Please share widely!
American Political Science Association > Sign In
members.apsanet.org
July 15, 2025 at 6:09 PM
MIT Political Science is hiring this fall, with junior lines in both American Politics (members.apsanet.org/CAREERS/eJob...) and IR. Please share widely!
Reading this recent Economist story on defense industry, dismayed to see the claim that in WWII, B-24s were built “in a Ford car factory in Detroit.” Let’s recall please that Willow Run and other big WWII plants were new ones.
The war in Ukraine shows the West can re-arm without re-industrialising
The war in Ukraine shows the West can re-arm without re-industrialising
July 4, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Reading this recent Economist story on defense industry, dismayed to see the claim that in WWII, B-24s were built “in a Ford car factory in Detroit.” Let’s recall please that Willow Run and other big WWII plants were new ones.
The war in Ukraine shows the West can re-arm without re-industrialising
The war in Ukraine shows the West can re-arm without re-industrialising
Reposted by profmarkwilson.bsky.social
This is absolutely appalling.
June 24, 2025 at 8:52 PM
This is absolutely appalling.