War is a social activity social conditions mould the character and conduct of war these conditions can be difficult to understand. When i served in the air force officer corps thirty years ago, there were three books found in the office of every commanding officer i had. His analysis was based on clausewitz s memorandum, written during the winter of 183031, on the thenimminent possibility of a war with france under circumstances far less favorable than those described by the plan of a war designed to lead to the total defeat of the enemy, in book 8, chapter 9, of on war. It has been translated into english several times as on war. On war is the most significant attempt in western history to understand war, both in its internal dynamics and as an instrument of policy. Clausewitz associated these aspects loosely with three physical factors.
Clausewitz on war, book 2 chapter one national security and. On the theory of war in another lengthy, numbered section, clausewitz attempts a mixture of a theoretical argument and a historical sketch of the development of the theory of war. Variations in weapons may or may not require the addition of another layer. Matthijs jolles at the university of chicago during world war iinot todays standard translation, but. Clausewitz had been stunned by how totally napoleon had dominated europe and how he had appeared to change the nature of modern warfare, creating a larger scale war than europe had arguably ever seen. Clausewitzs on war and sun tzus art of war in one volume. Clausewitz, on war 1831 book iion the theory of war context. The contest of arms is the firstborn son of war, after all. Graham translation of clausewitz s vom kriege 1832 published in london in 1873. In the third chapter of this book, we have stated how this resistance, in the case of an advanced body, may. Clausewitz has served in the rhine campaign 17931794, when the prussian army invaded france during the french revolution and in the napoleonic wars from 1806 to 1815. The translation of clausewitz s on war is the 1943 version done by german literary scholar o. Classifications of the art of war with respect to what is war, clausewitz offers an elemental observation that can sometimes be forgotten in everyday use. The preceding chapter showed that the nature of war is complex and change.
By comparing this theoretical version of war with reality, clausewitz aims to identify how and why these two types of war di. I believe you hit on both of clausewitz s most important points. It does not speak to the conflicts of civil wars, rebellion, secession or terrorism. In the third chapter of this book, we have stated how this. Book i chapter 2 camps and cantonments are both tactical and strategic in their nature, but the methods of construction are not part of the conduct of war. You handled science, moral forces and history well. War is an instrument of policy ends of the state, not for its own sake 4. He wrote about the enduring principles about the nature of war that he experienced first hand in battle against napoleons forces. On war also widely known by its german name vom kriege is considered to be clausewitzs magnum opus, despite the fact it remained unfinished at the time of his death. In this chapter, clausewitz once more contrasts the theory of war with its reality. It has been said that he derived the bulk of his principles from the example of napoleon. Published posthumously between 1832 and 1835 by clausewitzs wife, on war delivers a deep insight into various concepts and schools of thought connected to war.
In his book vom kriege on war the expression is explained. We speak of war on drugs, of wars on something or another but. The first conception of the art of war was merely the preparation of the armed forces. Lauterbach on clausewitz on military genius william f. Chapter summary for carl clausewitzs on war, book 2 chapters 1 2 summary. He was a professional soldier but his legacy is that of a military strategist and theorist. Memorandum written by clausewitz shortly before his death book i. Clausewitz now considers the ends and means of war. Dec 16, 2018 we finally get to move on from chapter 1 fortunately, the chapters are much more manageable in size.
Clausewitz s on war and sun tzus art of war in one volume. The former is the theory of the use of military forces in combat while the latter is the theory of the use of combats for the object of the war. On war book 3 chapter 5 the military virtue of an army. His ideas remain widely taught in military schools, and are, more than ever, essential to the modern strategist. Clausewitz s referring to adversaries being stronger or weaker may also include quantity and quality of. Clausewitz s triad peoplepassion, political leadershipreason, and the militaryviolence. Clausewitz returns to the same theme in book 8, chapter 2. Even a brief consideration of these questions will cast light on the development of clausewitz s ideas and on the forms his ideas assumed in the various strata of on war. Buy the best translationrecommended for serious readers. Clausewitz helped negotiate the he is most famous for his military treatise vom kriege, translated into english as on war. On war, book 1 by clausewitz my interpretation and. Clausewitzs work, is in many ways one of the most compelling of the book. Clausewitz wrote during the age of the great imperial nationstates in the west, prior to widespread democratic government and following the medieval period. On war, book 1 by clausewitz my interpretation and summary.
On danger in war war is the province of danger, and clausewitz describes the different dangers experienced by the leaders of an army at the distances from which they operate. Chicago boyz blog archive clausewitz, on war, book 2. But fighting is a trial of strength of the moral and physical forces by. On war book 3 chapter 5 the military virtue of an army clausewitz those are bullets not turds. Aurini february 26, 2018 clausewitz begins this chapter by reflecting on how all the theories of war up to this point are mere mechanical abstractions. Clausewitz was a realist in many different senses and, while in. In book 1, chapter 2, we move on from the nature of war and shift to what influence this has on the. Clausewitz was born on june 1, 1780 in the kingdom of prussia to a lower middleclass family. He describes at length the necessity of separating tactics from strategy. It is an extraordinary attempt to construct an allembracing theory of how war works. The 197684 howardparet version is the standard translation today. In this chapter clausewitz describes the various branches of the art of war. On war, book 1 by clausewitz my interpretation and summary i have just finished reading on war s book 1 by clausewitz. War as a contest between generals, armies and states wrestling metaphor trying to pin while trying not to get pinned 3.
Chapter 2, focusing on the historical and methodological bases for. Since the works first appearance in 1832, it has been read throughout the world, and has stimulated generations of soldiers, statesmen, and intellectuals. A classic work on military strategy by a veteran of the napoleonic wars. His exclamation here is a mockery of those who oppose such a. Mar 29, 2016 it is, however, clausewitzs great intellectual triumph, on war, that permeates the book, as well it should.
Branches of the art of war in this chapter clausewitz describes the various branches of the art of war. Stoker does a commendable job of interweaving and referring to the evolution of clausewitzs key ideas on war, including friction 48, 101, center of gravity 100, and defense, including the idea of political defense 97. This applies with more force to the art of war than to any other. Criticism clausewitz has a mixed relationship with criticism, which he views as invaluable but also prone to errors. Consider the more modern versions and other relevant books shown below. War, clausewitz and the trinity lse research online. In book 1, chapter 2, we move on from the nature of war and shift to what influence this has on the means and end in war. Matthijs jolles at the university of chicago during world war iinot todays standard translation, but certainly the most accurate.
Clausewitz, on war 1831 book iion the theory of war. Despite these acknowledged errors, it is the best means available for the study of war outside of standing on a battlefield. General scharnhorst, whose hand book is the best ever written on actual war, pronounces historical examples to be of the first importance, and makes an admirable use of them himself. In section 2, the reader timothy ferguson was assisted by linda ferguson. Thus on war concerns military conflicts between states. But fighting is a trial of strength of the moral and physical forces by means of the latter. Methodicism clausewitz lays out in logical fashion the conception of war as a method and as a method of action. War is an act of force to compel our enemy to do our will book 1, part 2, p.
Clausewitz on war termination masters of war taylor. While book 2 is not considered complete, yet it is so important to understanding clausewitz s study of war, that it cannot be disregarded. Though the aim of a war is as variable as the political object and the circumstances of the war, there are three general objects of war. Graham 1808 1883 a classic work on military strategy by a veteran of the napoleonic wars.
Princeton university press books are printed on acidfree paper. Ends and means in war clausewitz now considers the ends and means of war. As vital as administration is, supplying the troops is an utterly different activity than making use of the troops. Someone wrote yesterday to express the belief that the capability of the saa must have greatly declined over the past years.
In the context of the chapter, clausewitz is aiming for a theory that excludes genius and instead argues for a theoretical approach to war which can assist all who study it. It was a very difficult book to read and i think ive made some errors in interpretation plus grammar and spelling. The theory of war is purely a means of professional formation. War is merely a wrestling match on an extensive scale, an act of violence intended to compel our opponent to fulfil our will. War is a continuation of politics by different means. Although war is a physical contest, the moral component cannot be omitted for the condition of the mind has always the most decisive influence on the forces employed in war. This book is a classic and a must for every one interested in. Clausewitz, the son of a retired lieutenant who held a minor post in the prussian internal revenue service, first encountered war in 1793 as a twelveyearold lance corporal. His most notable work, vom kriege on war, was unfinished at his death. On war is perhaps the greatest book ever written about war. Its coherence and ambition are unmatched by other military literature. Clausewitzs referring to adversaries being stronger or weaker may also include quantity and quality of weapons. War in its literal meaning is fighting, for fighting alone is the efficient principle in the manifold activity which, in a wide sense, is called war. Study terms clausewitz war as an instrument of policy.
Examples from history make everything clear, and furnish the best description of proof in the empirical sciences. It deals with the different components of war from its nature to its philosophy and to its actual practice such as strategy and tactics. We finally get to move on from chapter 1 fortunately, the chapters are much more manageable in size. Clausewitz s book on war aims to formulate a coherent and comprehensive theory of war. He wrote about the enduring principles about the nature of war that he experienced first hand in battle against napoleons. In order to explain ourselves clearly as to the conception of method and method of action which play such an important part in war, we must be allowed to cast a hasty glance at the logical hierarchy, through which, as through regularly constituted official functionaries, the world of action is governed law, in the widest sense strictly applying to. Published in 1832, a year after his death, on war is regarded by military experts even today as the definitive study of warfare. This proceeds from consideration of the logical hierarchy from a law, to a principle, to a rule, to a method, which is a mode of acting or a way of doing things. To cover the country by extending the troops over it.
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