Professional Documents
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Reading Assignment
Preston and Wise, Men in Arms, pp. 207 208, 238 - 240, 338 Handout: Basford, Jomini and Clausewitz: Their Interaction
Learning Objectives
Comprehend Clausewitzs statement that war is nothing but a continuation of political intercourse with an admixture of other means Comprehend and contrast the present day acceptance of Clausewitzs dicta to those of Jominis Know and describe the wide spectrum of the types of war which Clausewitz addressed, (e.g. Peoples War)
Jomini was studied by the participants of the American Civil War extensively. Jomini is not read much today
Clausewitz - Background
Born in 1780 Joined Prussian Army as an Ensign In 1806, he was wounded and taken prisoner by napoleons forces In 1812, the Russian Army He fought the French until Napoleon abdicated in 1814
CLAUSEWITZ
Clausewitz @ Waterloo as Chief of Staff to a Prussian Corps Commander In 1818 he was promoted to Maj Gen Head of the Prussian War Academy.His duties were limited to administration and he was unable to influence curriculum. Turned to writing Died of Cholera in 1830
CLAUSEWITZ (CONT)
On War published by his wife War is nothing but a continuation of political intercourse with a mixture of other means
Political dialogue does not cease
Is war not merely another kind of writing and language for political thoughts? It has certainly a grammar of its own, but its logic is not peculiar to itself
CLAUSEWITZ (CONT)
War is a trinity of violence, chance or reason Remarks on Russia: maintained that Russia was (is) a country which cannot be conquered by force of arms. War is an act of violence intended to compel our opponent to fulfill our will As soon, therefore, as required expenditures of force exceeds the value of the political, the object must be abandoned and peace will be the result
CLAUSEWITZ (CONT)
Absolute War; Conflict of forces left to themselves, and obeying no other but their own inner laws Much Like todays Total War. Arming the people a peoples war
Vietnam, Afghanistan, War on Terrorism
CLAUSEWITZ (CONT)
Remarks on Russia:
Maintained that Russia was (is) a country which cannot be conquered by force of arms
Center of Gravity
Governs the grand strategical aim of a war Without it the whole structure of national power will collapse
Moral Force
Morale is to the physical as 3 is to 1 Courage, audacity, and self-sacrifice Shinning blade
Clausewitz Contributions
Center of Gravity
That point in the enemys organism military, political, social, etc at which, should he be defeated, or should he lose it, the whole structure of national power will collapse.
Jomini Background
Swiss, born in 1779 Worked in a banking house in Paris Unpaid, unofficial job in the French Supply Corps During the peace of Amiens (1801 - 1802) Ney assisted him in publishing treatise on the campaigns of Frederick the Great
Chief of Staff for Marshall Ney Made comparisons of Napoleon and Frederick
Jomini
One might say that he (Napoleon) was sent into this world to teach generals and statesmen what they ought to avoid. His victories teach what may be accomplished by activity, boldness, and skill; his disasters what might have been avoided by prudence
Jomini
Impressed Napoleon and he gave him a regular appointment as a colonel in the French Army Never Commanded Joined Russian Army 1813 Well read and studied throughout the world
Jomini
Saw future war as total war and was apprehensive. Needed International laws to limit warfare Demonstrated a negligible understanding of general relationship of war and society Industrial Revolution the means of destruction are approaching perfection with frightful rapidity
Maneuvering as to engage ones major forces against parts of those of the enemy.
Majority of your forces at the right time and place against the enemys line where it is important to overwhelm Bring them together rapidly for a simultaneous effort.
Summary
Clausewitz
Center of gravity Morale force
Jomini
Strategic principles Ideal Military Force