Mutiny in United States and British Armed Forces in the Twentieth Century

This work examines the ways in which existing leadership models and related concepts can be better integrated in order to provide a more developed explanation of leadership failure. The concept of the emotional tone of the group provided an integrative concept for understanding the impact of the leader at the group level. The narratives also emphasize the importance of understanding leadership and followership within a wider social context. Mutiny is the ultimate rejection of military or naval discipline, an open revolt against legitimate authority. Mutiny has been surprisingly common in the armed forces of the United States and Britain, but is not often discussed. This book describes a number of such incidents that occurred over the course of the twentieth century. Mutinies have occurred more frequently in some periods than in others. Thirteen ships of the Royal Navy experienced mutiny from 1936 to 1955, as well as ships and shore units of other British navies. Seven ships of the United States Navy experienced mutiny from 1972 to 1973. At the end of the First World War, the British experienced mutiny and demonstrations by troops awaiting demobilization, while the Americans experienced few acts of insurrection (and those were mainly involving racial issues). At the end of the Second World War, the more serious riots and demonstrations were by American troops rather than the British, and into the 1960s, military unrest became a problem in some elements of the United States military, whereas it had become unusual in British armed forces.