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'''Brief Biography of Carl von Clausevitz.'''

'''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].  

In 1806 he fought French invaders in the tragic Jena Campaign. He was captured by enemy forces after a defeat of the Prussian Army and spent two years as a prisoner of war in France and Switzerland. In year 1808 he was released by the French Army and came back to Prussia. After his return von Clausewitz was immediately appointed by his former mentor General von Scharnhorst as a military assistant to Prussian Army Chief of Staff. He worked with an exemplary dedication reorganizing and modernizing the Prussian Army. In year 1810, in recognition of his service he was appointed as a professor at the War Academy and assigned the prestigious task of military education of the Prussian Crown Prince [4], [5], [6]. Same year he married Marie von Brühl. Von Clausewitz spent the next two years advancing not only his military career but also advancing his scholarly studies, interacting with many prominent Berlin intellectuals.  

In 1806 he fought French invaders in the tragic Jena Campaign. He was captured by enemy forces after a defeat of the Prussian Army and spent two years as a prisoner of war in France and Switzerland. In year 1808 he was released by the French Army and came back to Prussia. After his return von Clausewitz was immediately appointed by his former mentor General von Scharnhorst as a military assistant to Prussian Army Chief of Staff. He worked with an exemplary dedication reorganizing and modernizing the Prussian Army. In year 1810, in recognition of his service he was appointed as a professor at the War Academy and assigned the prestigious task of military education of the Prussian Crown Prince [4], [5], [6]. Same year he married Marie von Brühl. Von Clausewitz spent the next two years advancing not only his military career but also advancing his scholarly studies, interacting with many prominent Berlin intellectuals.  

As an honest and deeply patriotic man von Clausewitz profoundly resented French political and cultural domination of Prussia [1], [3], [6]. His dissatisfaction with French influences culminated in the year 1812, when he defiantly refused to collaborate with France. Given no other option he left Prussia to serve in the Russian Army in accordance with the principle that "the enemy of my enemy is my friend." However, before this forced exile von Clausevitz left the manuscript of his first major work "Principles of War" with the Prussian Crown Prince as a tutorial [1], [3]. Von Clausevitz fought bravely through the Russian Campaign. He played instrumental role in orchestrating defection of troops led by Prussian Field Marshal Hans Yorck von Wartenburg from loyal to Napoleon Prussian Army [8]. This was a turning point in the history of Prussia, which ultimately paved a road to massive insurgency against Napoleon. Subsequently, von Clausewitz became Russian liaison officer with the headquarters of Field Marshal Blücher, and ultimately was appointed chief of staff of the German-Russian legion. In the year 1814 von Clausewitz was fully reinstated with all honors in the Prussian Army. A year later he fought in the bloody Waterloo campaign serving as a chief of staff to General von Thielmann's III Prussian Army Corps [1], [3], [9]. His personal participation in the famous Battles of Ligny and Wavre had a deep influence on von Clausewitz’s understanding of the strategic Arcanum [10].  In both those battles Prussian Army was greatly outnumbered and overwhelmed by French forces, and was eventually forced into the retreat. Nevertheless, those battles were hollow victories for French and major strategic victories for Prussians. Prussian Army was able to engage French forces long enough to prevent their entry into the Waterloo battlefield. This ultimately resulted in Napoleon’s defeat.

As an honest and deeply patriotic man von Clausewitz profoundly resented French political and cultural domination of Prussia [1], [3], [6]. His dissatisfaction with French influences culminated in the year 1812, when he defiantly refused to collaborate with France. Given no other option he left Prussia to serve in the Russian Army in accordance with the principle that "the enemy of my enemy is my friend." However, before this forced exile von Clausewitz left the manuscript of his first major work "Principles of War" with the Prussian Crown Prince as a tutorial [1], [3]. Von Clausewitz fought bravely through the Russian Campaign. He played instrumental role in orchestrating defection of troops led by Prussian Field Marshal Hans Yorck von Wartenburg from loyal to Napoleon Prussian Army [8]. This was a turning point in the history of Prussia, which ultimately paved a road to massive insurgency against Napoleon. Subsequently, von Clausewitz became Russian liaison officer with the headquarters of Field Marshal Blücher, and ultimately was appointed chief of staff of the German-Russian legion. In the year 1814 von Clausewitz was fully reinstated with all honors in the Prussian Army. A year later he fought in the bloody Waterloo campaign serving as a chief of staff to General von Thielmann's III Prussian Army Corps [1], [3], [9]. His personal participation in the famous Battles of Ligny and Wavre had a deep influence on von Clausewitz's understanding of the strategic Arcanum [10].  In both those battles Prussian Army was greatly outnumbered and overwhelmed by French forces, and was eventually forced into the retreat. Nevertheless, those battles were hollow victories for French and major strategic victories for Prussians. Prussian Army was able to engage French forces long enough to prevent their entry into the Waterloo battlefield. This ultimately resulted in Napoleon’s defeat.

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 Clausevitz 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 Clausevitz 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].  

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.  

There were countless attempts to summarize knowledge related to issues of human conflict in the form of studious treatise. A vast majority of those discourses became obsolete soon after they were written, and as such have been forgotten. There are, however, at least three books that have survived the passage of time. Those are [[Sun-tzu]]'s "The Art of War" (written probably 500 B.C.), [[Thucydides]]': "[[The Peloponnesian War]]" (written about 400 B.C.), and von Clausevitz's "On War" (published 1832 A.D.). Even among this distinct trio von Clausewitz's masterpiece is easily distinguished by it universalistic and astonishingly modern character. Recently, some authors noticed many similarities between von Clauzewitz's theses and modern theories of nonlinearity and complexity [16].

There were countless attempts to summarize knowledge related to issues of human conflict in the form of studious treatise. A vast majority of those discourses became obsolete soon after they were written, and as such have been forgotten. There are, however, at least three books that have survived the passage of time. Those are [[Sun-tzu]]'s "The Art of War" (written probably 500 B.C.), [[Thucydides]]': "[[The Peloponnesian War]]" (written about 400 B.C.), and von Clausewitz's "On War" (published 1832 A.D.). Even among this distinct trio von Clausewitz's masterpiece is easily distinguished by it universalistic and astonishingly modern character. Recently, some authors noticed many similarities between von Clauzewitz's theses and modern theories of nonlinearity and complexity [16].

Von Clausewitz did not recommend any detailed strategic program nor did he advise any specific tactical solutions. He had a keen understanding that future readers of his books had to live in a world distinctively different from his own. Von Clausewitz knew this future world would be unpredictable for him due to unimaginable changes in technology, social structure and political status. Therefore, he has chosen to use a descriptive theoretical approach suitable for analysis of any conflict, at any time. A descriptive nature of his theory allows readers to develop their own strategic way of thinking, which may be practically applied to solve, strategic problems in virtually any environment  [17], [18].

Von Clausewitz did not recommend any detailed strategic program nor did he advise any specific tactical solutions. He had a keen understanding that future readers of his books had to live in a world distinctively different from his own. Von Clausewitz knew this future world would be unpredictable for him due to unimaginable changes in technology, social structure and political status. Therefore, he has chosen to use a descriptive theoretical approach suitable for analysis of any conflict, at any time. A descriptive nature of his theory allows readers to develop their own strategic way of thinking, which may be practically applied to solve, strategic problems in virtually any environment  [17], [18].

'''Conclusion'''

'''Conclusion'''

Carl von Clausevitz 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.