The evolution of the United States Army and the concept of warfare can be traced back to its roots in Colonial America in the early 1600s. Over the next few centuries, the Army as we know it developed from a small militia to what is now considered the largest militia in the world. Similar to the enjoyment of American history, the war has had the opportunity to encounter numerous noteworthy advances and life-changing adaptations. These shifts and changes have led to the American style of warfare seen in recent history; a method that has transformed from an alternative to diplomacy into a systematic and professionalized method of declaring victory over an adversary, regardless of nature or cause. Starting with Colonial America and ending with the aftermath of World War I, this piece will work to analyze the above-mentioned concepts during this time period. To understand the changes in warfare, history, and the American way of waging war, you need to start with the Colonial period in which organized militias were built as the primary means of defense. These units were used for small military operations that included land seizure, defense against other European colonies, and most commonly to drive out Native Americans deemed invasive. As a result, most of the conflicts that arose primarily involved Native Americans. The Pequot War of 1637, which occurred in what is now Massachusetts, resulted in the Pequot tribe losing possession of their land. King Philip's War in 1675 had similar objectives, as did subsequent conflicts, including the Yamasee War and Father Rale's War reaching into the early 1700s. However, to sustain any major operation, the colonists relied heavily on support of their homeland, ... middle of paper ... and on the conditions under which the National Guard could be activated. He also handed over federal funds to the National Guard to pay for equipment and training. The National Guard then began to organize its units much more like the regular army; take steps to meet the same training, education and general readiness requirements as active duty units. Further legislation and a renewal of doctrine led to the growth and modernization of the U.S. military. An ongoing conflict was now brewing that would soon become the field upon which the United States could evaluate these changes. The war to end all wars, World War I, became a turning point in America's military history where its strength and intellectual abilities were tested. Works Cited Millett, Allan Reed and Peter Maslowski. For the Common Defense: A Military History of the United States of America. New York: Free, 1984. Print.