The Quest for Victory: The History of the Principles of War, Essay Example

Despite Napoleon’s failures, defeats, and atrocities, the Era of Napoleon had a profound impact on military operations and its interaction within operational environments. Napoleon’s implementation of the citizen armies, the development of the corps structure, and basic principles of warfare continues to be influential in today’s warfare.^[1] This is seen today in the manner in which certain operations are run. Specifically, military operations have been molded and have adapted methodologies from the Era of Napoleon. Therefore, all of this goes to prove how regardless of one’s failures, one can still have a major influence on a certain group of individuals in the future. Napoleon is a perfect example of this. His radical approach, strategic genius and ideology in warfare transformed military operations.^[2]

With the increased need for manpower, Napoleon achieved mass uprising through citizen armies. This would mean that individuals would invariably join his forces, only making him a stronger figure in today’s society each day.^[3] The institution of conscription enabled Napoleon to increase his fighting forces significantly. As a result, his army was able to become more fortified, organized, and ultimately, more powerful. On that note, the reformation of the officer corps revolutionized the military ranking system because of the manner in which it was now being based on the promotion on merit, talent, and competence. What is important to note of

Napoleon’s army was diverse because of the manner in which Napoleon was a man who was completely irrespective of social background, meaning that all individuals could be able to join his army. Due to this, he was able to grow his army in numbers. Through this method, Napoleon  was able to revolutionize the concept of military spirit and the morale of his soldiers.^[4]

The revamping of the organizational structure permitted variation and flexibility. What is meant by this is that Napoleon and his army would always try different approaches and methods of doing certain things. Eventually, this led the army to many successes because of its creativity.  Restructuring of organization and use of doctrine made Napoleonic warfare fast and fluid. In addition to that, these kinds of changes would come to mean that mobile units could move autonomously as well as be self-contained.^[5] Another reason as to why Napoleon and his crew had so much success in a variety of battles is due to the manner in which they were able to recognize the significance of logistical support. In sum, open-mindedness was what was especially unique about Napoleon’s army.^[6]

Napoleon had major impact on the principles of warfare as well as military theory. So much so, that current military strategies are well-founded in Napoleon’s strategies. The kind of influence that he was able to make through his innovative and flexible methods changed the military world forever; new methods were able to be introduced and individuals were given different perspectives as to how to carry out certain objectives. Antoine-Henri Jomini, who served under Napoleon, also wrote about the manner in which Napoleon was a leader through his open-minded strategies and thinking.^[7] Lastly, the manner in which Napoleon was able to make use of his army’s speed, mobility, and maneuver was truly remarkable. What was unique about Napoleon is that he was able to recognize his army’s weaknesses and advantages. With this in mind, he was able to make the best kinds of decisions for himself and ultimately, for all of his men.^[8]

Napoleon’s practices still resonate throughout today’s military operations. The similarities that are common in both Napoleon’s methods and current day military methods are portrayed through factors such as the order of merit system for promotions, the Army’s organizational structure, and the emphasis that is places on military leadership in regards to both influence and motivation. In Napoleon’s army, there were three main factors that determined a soldier’s ranking based on promotion: talent, experience, and competence. Today’s Army ranking is based on a similar method. The Army is made up of things such as corps, divisions, brigades, and battalions. In today’s kind of modern warfare, leaders constantly impart spirit de corps and morale in soldiers. Through this method, obedient armies who carry out what must be done are formulated. To this day, the existence of the Army invariably holds true. Without the institutional forces, the operational forces could not function and therefore, there would be no purpose. Napoleon’s strategies were revolutionary in the past and will benefit humanity in the future.

Bibliography

Alger, John I. The Quest for Victory: The History of the Principles of War. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 1982

Hazen, Charles D. The French Revolution and Napoleon. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 1917.

Jomini, Antoine Henri. The Art of War. Mechanicsburg, PA: Greenhill Books, 1996.

Knox, MacGregor. The Dynamics of Military Revolution, 1300-2050. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2001.

Otero, Christopher. “Reflections on Clausewitz AndJomini a Discussion on Theory,  MDMP, and Design in the Post OIF Army.” Small Wars, 2011. Accessed  http://smallwarsjournal.com/blog/journal/docs-temp/772-otero.pdf accessed February 10, 2015.

Snell, Kelly. “Influence of Napoleon on Civil War Tactics and Strategy.” Shotgun’s Home of the American Civil War. March 26, 2005. http://www.civilwarhome.com/napoleontactics.html accessed March 11, 2015.

Weigley, Russell Frank. The American Way of War; a History of United States Military Strategy and Policy. New York: Macmillan, 1973.