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Evolution of Warfare

Clausewitz and Jomini


MOI

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)

Learning Objectives (cont)


Comprehend the importance assigned by Clausewitz to moral force vice physical force Know and discuss Clausewitzs impact on current communist military and political thoughts and practices Know and describe Jominis contribution to the theory of warfare, especially his discovery of the fundamental principles of War

Clausewitz and Jomini Comparison


Contemporaries and rivals, contemptuous of each others ideas Jomini much more influential, especially outside of Prussia. Clausewitz major works were published posthumously Jomini was a living author Jomini wrote in French (more international) Clausewitz wrote in German

Clausewitz and Jomini Comparison


Clausewitz more accepted today. Works stood the test of time and is applicable to the current world.
Writings are the accepted standard against to measure military action

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

Primary Objectives of War


To conquer and destroy the enemys armed forces To get possessions of the material elements of aggression of the enemy To gain public opinion

Primary Objectives of War (cont)


Next he laid down the principles which should be followed to attain those objectives
1) To employ all the forces which we can make available with the utmost energy 2) To concentrate our force as much as possible at the point where the decisive blows are to be struck

Primary Objectives of War (cont)


3) Not to lose time..by rapidity many measures of the enemy are nipped in the bud, and public opinion is gained in our favor..surpriseis the most powerful element of victory. 4) Lastlyto follow up the success we gain with the utmost energy. The pursuitis the only means of gathering up the fruits of victory.

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 and Communism


Lenin and Mao quote him in their works
Lenin used Clausewitz and others to form his philosophy. Mao Mihn used his ideas almost inclusively in Vietnam

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.

War is an instrument of policy Moral Force, Moral Factors involved in war


Courage, audacity and self-sacrifice Moral to physical is 3:1 Moral force shining blade ; handle of the sword

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

Ideal Military Force


Leadership trained for political as well as military responsibilities A high state of readiness both personnel and material Continued study of military science at all levels of leadership An esteemed position for the military profession

Ideal Military Force (cont)


Peacetime planning Operational planning compatible with war aims (National Objectives) Contingency planning, strategic intelligence, adequate budget

Jomini - Nature of Approach


Took up the study of warfare Approach was that of scientist and tried to create a formula. Endeavored to demonstrate that there are fundamentals and unchanging principles which determine wars outcome and that the only reasonable theory of war was that which admitted the existence of precepts, but still left room for natural genius.

Jomini - His Concepts


Winning Territory 1) Each military operation will take place within a definite zone of operations
Regarded the zone as a field with 4 sides Two of these sides occupied by opposing force

2) The task of the Commanding General


Choose the line of operations to effectively dominate three sides of the zone
Enemy will be crushed or forced out of the zone

Jomini - His Concepts


2) Task of the Commanding General (cont)
Leadership trained for political as well as military responsibilities High state of readiness, both of personnel and material Continued study of military science at all levels of leadership Esteemed position for military profession Peacetime planning Operational planning compatible with war aims (national objectives) Strategic intelligence Adequate budget

Jomini - Strategic Principles


Bringing strategic measures, the major part of an armys forces, successively to bear upon the decisive areas of a theater of war and as far away as possible from the enemys communications, without compromising ones own. Maneuvering in such a manner as to engage ones major forces against parts only of those of the enemy

Jomini - Strategic Principles


Furthermore, in battle, by tactical maneuvers, bringing ones major forces to bear on the decisive area of the battlefield or on the part of the enemys lines which is important to overwhelm. Arranging matters in such a fashion that these masses of men not only brought to bear at the decisive place but they be put into action speedily and together, so that they may make a simultaneous effort

Jomini Strategic Principles


Based on Napoleons campaigns
Bringing, by strategic measures, majority of forces successfully upon the decisive areas and upon the enemys comm. W/O compromising ones own.

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

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