TABLE OF CONTENTS -- Illustrations and maps -- Introduction: the military heritage of the founding fathers -- Origins of the prejudice against standing armies -- Counterpoint: militia -- The war for independence -- Power of the sword -- The Newburgh conspiracy: nationalism and militarism -- Visions of security, nationalist style -- The military policy of the confederation -- Militarism and the founding fathers -- Reign of the federalists: dilemmas of power -- Indian war: birth of the legion -- Avoiding war: Harmar's campaign -- Campaigning for peace: St. Clair's defeat -- The murder of the militia system -- Two uses of force -- Winning peace: the politics of victory in the northwest -- Maintaining order: the Washington administration's decision to crush the whiskey rebellion -- "A lesson to governments and people" -- Creating the peace establishment -- Frenzy and collapse -- Federalist motives in 1798: a reinterpretation -- Forging the sword of federalism: the new and provisional armies -- Major General Hamilton, Mr. Secretary McHenry and the halting history of the new army -- Adams and Hamilton: the politics of demobilization and defeat -- Eagle and sword -- Politics, militarism, and institution- forming the new nation.