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'''Carl Phillip Gottfried von Clausewitz''' (1780-1831)  

'''Carl Phillip Gottfried von Clausewitz''' (1780-1831), also known as: Carl Maria von Clausewitz, Carl Philipp Gottlieb von Clausewitz, Karl von Clausewitz; was a native of Prussia.  He was a professional soldier, a master strategic theorist and a renowned military philosopher [1],[2] . He was both a valiant warrior and a brilliant intellectual. He belongs to the exclusive group of the very few extraordinary military thinkers - who have truly left the impression of their genius on the centuries to come. Even today he is unquestionably the most frequently quoted and the most revered strategist. Despite the fact that his major work was published over two centuries ago - it remains to be a very much modern treatise on military and general strategy. His major opus "On War" (original German title: "Vom Kriege") has been translated into every major language, and it continues to have an impact on modern military, business and political strategists.

 

Also Known As: Carl Maria von Clausewitz, Carl Philipp Gottlieb von Clausewitz, Karl von Clausewitz.

 

Carl von Clausewitz, a native of Prussia was a professional soldier, a master strategic theorist and a renowned military philosopher [1],[2] . He was both a valiant warrior and a brilliant intellectual. He belongs to the exclusive group of the very few extraordinary military thinkers - who have truly left the impression of their genius on the centuries to come. Even today he is unquestionably the most frequently quoted and the most revered strategist. Despite the fact that his major work was published over two centuries ago - it remains to be a very much modern treatise on military and general strategy. His major opus "On War" (original German title: "Vom Kriege") has been translated into every major language, and it continues to have an impact on modern military, business and political strategists.

Von Clausewitz was a Prussian patriot - who had and continues to have tremendous influence on the American military and business schools of thoughts. "On War" is a required reading in all American military academies. It is also taught with an increasing frequency in civilian strategic studies and business programs in America and all over the world.

Von Clausewitz was a Prussian patriot - who had and continues to have tremendous influence on the American military and business schools of thoughts. "On War" is a required reading in all American military academies. It is also taught with an increasing frequency in civilian strategic studies and business programs in America and all over the world.

 

== Brief Biography of Carl von Clausewitz ==

'''Brief Biography of Carl von Clausewitz.'''

 

Carl von Clausewitz was born in 1780 in Burg, Kingdom of Prussia [3]. He was born in a middle-class family [4]. Despite its quite humble origin his family had claims to noble origins which eventually have been officially recognized [5]. In the year 1792 as a 12 year old boy Carl von Clausewitz has entered Prussian army as a cadet in 34th Infantry Regiment. One year later, at a tender age of thirteen he participated in his first military campaign fighting against revolutionary French forces [6]. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant at age 15 when he stationed with his garrison at Neuruppin  [4], [6]. In order to continue his military and general education he entered the Berlin War Academy at the age of 21. There he met his very influential mentor General Gerhard von Scharnhorst who at that time directed this military school. General von Scharnhorst became later a leader and a reformer of the Prussian Army and an important political figure in Prussia. In addition to being influenced by von Scharnhorst’s strategic theories, young von Clausewitz studied diligently history and philosophy – especially ideas of Immanuel Kant [7]. In year 1804 von Clausewitz graduated "summa cum laude" from the War Academy, and was appointed as a military assistant (aide-de-camp) to Prussian Prince August. In the same year he met his future wife - a prominent Berlin’s socialite Marie von Brühl  [4], [6].  

Carl von Clausewitz was born in 1780 in Burg, Kingdom of Prussia [3]. He was born in a middle-class family [4]. Despite its quite humble origin his family had claims to noble origins which eventually have been officially recognized [5]. In the year 1792 as a 12 year old boy Carl von Clausewitz has entered Prussian army as a cadet in 34th Infantry Regiment. One year later, at a tender age of thirteen he participated in his first military campaign fighting against revolutionary French forces [6]. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant at age 15 when he stationed with his garrison at Neuruppin  [4], [6]. In order to continue his military and general education he entered the Berlin War Academy at the age of 21. There he met his very influential mentor General Gerhard von Scharnhorst who at that time directed this military school. General von Scharnhorst became later a leader and a reformer of the Prussian Army and an important political figure in Prussia. In addition to being influenced by von Scharnhorst’s strategic theories, young von Clausewitz studied diligently history and philosophy – especially ideas of Immanuel Kant [7]. In year 1804 von Clausewitz graduated "summa cum laude" from the War Academy, and was appointed as a military assistant (aide-de-camp) to Prussian Prince August. In the same year he met his future wife - a prominent Berlin’s socialite Marie von Brühl  [4], [6].  

After the war ended von Clausewitz served for two years on staff of the beloved by Prussians military hero General August von Gneisenau. In a year 1818 von Clausewitz was promoted to Major-General and appointed as a director of the War College in Berlin. He remained at this prestigious post until year 1830 spending his time on research, teaching and writing his scholarly treatises. In 1830 he has been appointed as a Chief of Staff of the Prussian Army. This promotion coincided with an impromptu mobilization of Prussian forces which were rushed to the eastern borders of the Prussian Kingdom. The hasty mobilization and sealing-off Prussian borders was done in an anticipation of possible outbreak of violence - related to a turbulent political situation in the Russian Empire. While staying with his troops von Clausewitz contracted cholera and died in the city of Breslau on November 16, 1831. He was buried in his native city of Burg. Von Clausewitz’s modest tomb has been guarded by the Honorary Military Guard of Kingdom of Prussia, Imperial Germany, Weimar Republic, Nazi Germany, and communist Eastern Germany [11]. It is now attended by the Honorary Guard of the Federal Army of the United Germany. This is a true testament to the greatness of the man – whose universal thoughts transcended short-lived political fashions and trends. Major works of von Clausewitz including "On War" were published after his death by his widow in Berlin from 1832 to 1837 [12], [13], [14], [15].  

After the war ended von Clausewitz served for two years on staff of the beloved by Prussians military hero General August von Gneisenau. In a year 1818 von Clausewitz was promoted to Major-General and appointed as a director of the War College in Berlin. He remained at this prestigious post until year 1830 spending his time on research, teaching and writing his scholarly treatises. In 1830 he has been appointed as a Chief of Staff of the Prussian Army. This promotion coincided with an impromptu mobilization of Prussian forces which were rushed to the eastern borders of the Prussian Kingdom. The hasty mobilization and sealing-off Prussian borders was done in an anticipation of possible outbreak of violence - related to a turbulent political situation in the Russian Empire. While staying with his troops von Clausewitz contracted cholera and died in the city of Breslau on November 16, 1831. He was buried in his native city of Burg. Von Clausewitz’s modest tomb has been guarded by the Honorary Military Guard of Kingdom of Prussia, Imperial Germany, Weimar Republic, Nazi Germany, and communist Eastern Germany [11]. It is now attended by the Honorary Guard of the Federal Army of the United Germany. This is a true testament to the greatness of the man – whose universal thoughts transcended short-lived political fashions and trends. Major works of von Clausewitz including "On War" were published after his death by his widow in Berlin from 1832 to 1837 [12], [13], [14], [15].  

 

== Importance of ideas of von Clausewitz ==

'''Importance of ideas of von Clausewitz.'''

 

Some historians due to their political bias describe ideas conceived by von Clausewitz as a direct product of the "Napoleonic era." The objective scholar, however, has to question such a notion. One of the most amazing features of von Clausewitz's philosophy was the ability to transcend his contemporary political and historical reality. This is the reason that his works were not forgotten, nor they are perceived as outmoded today. Von Clausewitz's most enlightening discovery was that one universal element unifying all existence is a constant and unpredictable struggle. This discovery was as brilliant, as it was simple. Von Clausewitz' books were written in a specific political and historical setting, therefore, he had to use examples and analogies which would be understood by his contemporary readers. However, those analogies and examples were illustrating ideas and concepts of the most universal and fundamental nature.  

Some historians due to their political bias describe ideas conceived by von Clausewitz as a direct product of the "Napoleonic era." The objective scholar, however, has to question such a notion. One of the most amazing features of von Clausewitz's philosophy was the ability to transcend his contemporary political and historical reality. This is the reason that his works were not forgotten, nor they are perceived as outmoded today. Von Clausewitz's most enlightening discovery was that one universal element unifying all existence is a constant and unpredictable struggle. This discovery was as brilliant, as it was simple. Von Clausewitz' books were written in a specific political and historical setting, therefore, he had to use examples and analogies which would be understood by his contemporary readers. However, those analogies and examples were illustrating ideas and concepts of the most universal and fundamental nature.  

Von Clausewitz was by all means a modern scientist. Yet, his own discussion of war theory is not rigorously dry or pretentiously "mathematical". In fact, he himself ridiculed the popular in the XIX century thesis that one can create a "science of war" or "science of all things" for that matter [17]. As an objective scientist he was way ahead of his times. In a contrast to his contemporaries he understood limitations of science and its inherent deficiencies.

Von Clausewitz was by all means a modern scientist. Yet, his own discussion of war theory is not rigorously dry or pretentiously "mathematical". In fact, he himself ridiculed the popular in the XIX century thesis that one can create a "science of war" or "science of all things" for that matter [17]. As an objective scientist he was way ahead of his times. In a contrast to his contemporaries he understood limitations of science and its inherent deficiencies.

'''Main ideas of von Clausewitz'''

== Main ideas of von Clausewitz ==

 

Christopher Bassford - American scholar fascinated by the Prussian war philosopher - has elegantly summarized the importance of reading the actual text of von Clausewitz:

Christopher Bassford - American scholar fascinated by the Prussian war philosopher - has elegantly summarized the importance of reading the actual text of von Clausewitz:

• '''Attack versus defense.''' The von Clausewitz’s opinion about the asymmetry of offense and defense has been vulgarized in the attributed to him saying that "the attack is the best form of the defense." In reality von Clausewitz wrote: "if we are really waging war, we must return the enemy's blows. (…) Thus a defensive campaign can be fought with offensive battles (…) The defensive form of war is not a simple shield, but a shield made up of well-directed blows." [21] Contrary to conventional wisdom von Clausewitz simply considered the defense as the easiest (and therefore - not necessary - most proper) form of waging a war. He stated: "The object of defense is preservation; and since it is easier to hold ground than to take it, defense is easier than attack. But defense has a passive purpose: preservation; and attack a positive one: conquest (…) If defense is the stronger form of war, yet has a negative object, it follows that it should be used only so long as weakness compels, and be abandoned as soon as we are strong enough to pursue a positive object." [21]

• '''Attack versus defense.''' The von Clausewitz’s opinion about the asymmetry of offense and defense has been vulgarized in the attributed to him saying that "the attack is the best form of the defense." In reality von Clausewitz wrote: "if we are really waging war, we must return the enemy's blows. (…) Thus a defensive campaign can be fought with offensive battles (…) The defensive form of war is not a simple shield, but a shield made up of well-directed blows." [21] Contrary to conventional wisdom von Clausewitz simply considered the defense as the easiest (and therefore - not necessary - most proper) form of waging a war. He stated: "The object of defense is preservation; and since it is easier to hold ground than to take it, defense is easier than attack. But defense has a passive purpose: preservation; and attack a positive one: conquest (…) If defense is the stronger form of war, yet has a negative object, it follows that it should be used only so long as weakness compels, and be abandoned as soon as we are strong enough to pursue a positive object." [21]

 

== Conclusion ==

'''Conclusion'''

 

Carl von Clausewitz was a Prussian patriot, professional soldier, military educator and erudite doctrine writer. The importance of his major work "On War" goes beyond description of the intricacies of the military conflict. This stellar work provides a solid framework for understanding the nature of life itself – which is based upon ever-lasting and never predicable struggle.

Carl von Clausewitz was a Prussian patriot, professional soldier, military educator and erudite doctrine writer. The importance of his major work "On War" goes beyond description of the intricacies of the military conflict. This stellar work provides a solid framework for understanding the nature of life itself – which is based upon ever-lasting and never predicable struggle.

 

==References ==

'''References:'''

. Blaschke, R., Carl von Clausewitz, der soldat und kriegsphilosoph. 1936, Leipzig,: P. Reclam jun. 78 p.

 

1. Blaschke, R., Carl von Clausewitz, der soldat und kriegsphilosoph. 1936, Leipzig,: P. Reclam jun. 78 p.

2. Aron, R., Clausewitz, philosopher of war. 1st Touchstone ed. 1986, New York: Simon & Schuster. xi, 418 p.

2. Aron, R., Clausewitz, philosopher of war. 1st Touchstone ed. 1986, New York: Simon & Schuster. xi, 418 p.