The study of military history has been in decline for decades. In the words of Victor Davis Hanson, “This state of affairs is profoundly troubling, for democratic citizenship requires knowledge of war. The degree classes have deprecated military history, even as they are largely the demographic that has adjudicated when and where the United States goes to war,” to the detriment of American students and American military strategy.
This steep decline reflects a foolhardy devaluation of the study of military history and strategy in American higher education. Hillsdale College stands against this trend and is poised to restore the study of military history and strategy to its rightful place in a liberal arts education.
Through the study of military history and strategy, the Center will prepare students on campus and citizens throughout the country for the task of self-government in matters of national security and military affairs. Hillsdale’s concern to prepare citizens to lead in war and diplomacy reflects the College’s distinctive attention to the American founding documents.
When Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution assigns to Congress “the power…to pay debts and provide for the common Defence… of the United States,” it recognizes two truths: war is costly, and the citizen body ultimately pays its price. In a free society, warfare is therefore the responsibility of the citizens.
Hillsdale College’s founding Articles of Association acknowledge that “sound learning” is required to preserve “the inestimable blessings resulting from the prevalence of civil and religious liberty.” Threats to liberty, self-government, and the rule of law are ever-present in the world today. We believe that by restoring the study of military history and strategy to its rightful place in a liberal education, we can also prepare the next generation of Americans for self-government in foreign affairs.