Changes

==1898-1939==

==1898-1939==

The [[Spanish-American War]] demonstrated that more effective control over the department and bureaus was necessary. In 1903 Secretary [[Elihu Root]] sought to achieve this goal in a businesslike manner by appointing a chief of staff as general manager and a European-type general staff for planning. His successor, [[William Howard Taft]], returned to the traditional secretary-bureau chief alliance, subordinating the chief of staff to the adjutant general, a powerful office since its creation in 1775. Indeed Taft himself had little power as President [[Theodore Roosevelt]] made the major decisions.

The [[Spanish-American War]] demonstrated that more effective control over the department and bureaus was necessary. In 1903 Secretary [[Elihu Root]] sought to achieve this goal in a businesslike manner by appointing a chief of staff as general manager and a European-type general staff for planning. His successor, [[William Howard Taft]], returned to the traditional secretary-bureau chief alliance, subordinating the chief of staff to the adjutant general, a powerful office since its creation in 1775. Indeed, Taft himself had little power as President [[Theodore Roosevelt]] made the major decisions.

[[File:Army1906.jpg|thumb|left|550px|The armies of the world in 1906, showing the miniscule American Army.]]

[[File:Army1906.jpg|thumb|left|550px|The armies of the world in 1906, showing the miniscule American Army.]]