Carl von Clausewitz

1. Carl von Clausewitz Prussian Military Commander and Scholar • b. 1780 -- d. 1831 • Fought in Napoleonic Wars and participated in Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo. • Major Work: On War (Vom Kriege), a treatise on military tactics as well as military/political philosophy.

2. Why is he important? - Distinguished military career - Highly regarded strategist and tactician - On War also deals with philosophy of war and its relationship to politics - Lasting influence as a military and political philosopher

3. On War:Important Highlights - “Fog of war” – term describing ambiguity of information on the battlefield - “Friction” – term used to describe constant resistance to every action taken in battle - “Limited” vs. “Ideal” (or Total) War - Famous Quotation: “War is a continuation of state policy with the admixture of other means.”

4. On War:Controversy • Scholars have noted conflicting views within On War, which have been attributed to the following: • - Ideas changed with age. Began to amend his work in later years • - Died before On War was complete • - Used a dialectic form of argument (Thesis + Antithesis = Synthesis)

5. Lasting Influence:An effect of controversy • 19th Century • Popular in Europe for “modern” tactics • Supported Total War • Reaction against Enlightenment Theories • 20th Century • Popular for “Modern” view of warfare • New understanding of On War • Supported “Limited” War

6. Bibliography Clausewitz, Carl von. (2009). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved February 2, 2009, from Encyclopædia Britannica Online: http://www.search.eb.com/eb/article-261788 Carl von Clausewitz. (2009). Retrieved February 4, 2009 from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_von_Clausewitz Fog of war. (2009). Retrieved February 4, 2009 from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fog_of_war