A political general is a term used by historians and most often applies to the American Civil War. In this context, it means a General officer who does not have formal military training or experience and who gained his position through political influence. To a lesser degree, it can also mean generals who engaged in politics during or after their time as a general. A "political general" can seem to be a contradiction in terms in a country such as the United States where by law the military is under civilian authority. An example was Dwight D. Eisenhower, who graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in the class of 1915. He was an experienced staff officer who commanded the invasions of North Africa and Western Europe. Eisenhower developed the political skills to deal with his British and American officers as well as political leaders. He later became President of the United States.
Political general
Questions and Answers
Q: What is a political general?
A: A political general is a General officer who does not have formal military training or experience and who gained his position through political influence.
Q: What can "political general" also mean to a lesser degree?
A: To a lesser degree, it can also mean generals who engaged in politics during or after their time as a general.
Q: Does the term "political general" apply only to the American Civil War?
A: No, the term "political general" is most often used by historians in the context of the American Civil War but can be applied to other contexts as well.
Q: Can someone become a political general in the United States without political influence?
A: No, a political general always achieves their position through political influence.
Q: Is it common for generals to engage in politics?
A: It is not very common for generals to engage in politics, but some have done so during or after their time as a General officer.
Q: Was Dwight D. Eisenhower a political general?
A: Yes, Dwight D. Eisenhower graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in the class of 1915, but he was also a political general who developed political skills to deal with his British and American officers as well as political leaders. He later became President of the United States.
Q: Does the United States military answer to civilian authority by law?
A: Yes, the United States is a country where by law the military is under civilian authority.