The Sword and the Pen

Abstract

This chapter discusses the significant decline in popularity experienced by the U.S. Navy after basking in the glory of its outstanding performance in the War of 1812. It also suffered from neglect by the federal government despite performing a wide range of important missions in service to the nation. Public indifference led to a loss of morale within the naval officer corps similar to that experienced by army officers. In the midst of this largely negative atmosphere, however, the navy was able to make strides toward greater professionalism in the 1830s and 1840s. No longer receiving the acclaim they had enjoyed after the War of 1812, naval officers increasingly closed ranks and looked within their own community for professional fulfillment. Led by a group of progressive reformers within the officer corps, more and more naval officers made it their goal to transform the naval service into a true profession through intellectual and moral improvement.