Carl von Clausewitz, a Prussian general and military theorist, emphasized the psychological and political aspects of war. His work 'On War' is a significant treatise on military strategy. He believed in the dialectical interaction of factors in war and the importance of history in shaping military tactics.
Carl von Clausewitz, a Prussian general and military strategist, was born in Burg bei Madgeburg, Germany. He is known for his significant contributions to military theory and his influential book 'On War'.
1780-07-01
Birth of Carl von Clausewitz
Carl von Clausewitz was born on July 1, 1780, in Burg bei Magdeburg, Prussian Duchy of Magdeburg. He came from a family with claims to noble status and later entered the Prussian military service at a young age.
1789
French Revolution
Clausewitz was interested in the role of popular forces unleashed by the French Revolution and how it influenced politics and war. He believed that the French successes created a precedent that others would try to repeat.
1792
Carl von Clausewitz enters Prussian military service
At the age of 12, Carl von Clausewitz entered the Prussian military service as a Lance-Corporal. He later rose through the ranks to become a Major-General.
1801
Carl von Clausewitz attends Military Academy in Berlin
In 1801, at the age of twenty-one, Carl von Clausewitz attended the Military Academy in Berlin where he excelled as a student, finishing first in his class.
1804
Clausewitz appointed adjutant to Prince August Ferdinand of Prussia
In 1804, Carl von Clausewitz was appointed as adjutant to Prince August Ferdinand of Prussia, marking the beginning of his military career.
1806-10-14
Capture at the Battle of Jena-Auerstedt
Clausewitz was captured at the Battle of Jena-Auerstedt during the Napoleonic invasion of Prussia. He was one of the 25,000 prisoners taken that day as the Prussian army disintegrated.
1807
Clausewitz joins group of officers to reform Prussian army
After being released from French captivity in 1807, Clausewitz joined a group of officers led by Scharnhorst to reform the Prussian army, aiming to modernize it in the face of new military challenges.
1808
Clausewitz joins the reform movement in Prussia
After returning from internment in France, Clausewitz energetically joined the reform movement in Prussia led by Scharnhorst. He helped restructure Prussian society and the army in preparation for a new struggle with the French.
1810-12-10
Marriage to Countess Marie von Brühl
Clausewitz married Countess Marie von Brühl, a socially prominent woman who played an important role in his career and intellectual development.
1810-12-17
Marriage to Countess Marie von Brühl
Carl von Clausewitz married Countess Marie von Brühl at St. Mary's Church in Berlin. The marriage took place on December 17, 1810.
1812
Clausewitz joins the Russian service
In 1812, Clausewitz resigned from his commission in the Prussian army and joined the Russian service during Napoleon's invasion of Russia. He served in various staff posts and played a key role in Prussia changing sides during the French retreat.
1814
Clausewitz negotiates the 'Convention of Tauroggen' and forces Prussia into the anti-French coalition
Clausewitz played a key role in negotiating the 'Convention of Tauroggen,' which led to the defection of a Prussian corps from the French army. This action eventually forced Prussia into the anti-French coalition and contributed to Napoleon's defeat.
1815-06-18
Clausewitz's Role in the Battle of Waterloo
Clausewitz served as a commanding officer during the Battle of Waterloo, a significant military campaign where Napoleon was defeated.
1818
Clausewitz's Promotion to Major-General
Continuing his swift rise through the ranks, Clausewitz was promoted to the position of Major-General in 1818 at the age of 38, highlighting his exceptional progression within the Prussian military hierarchy.
1827-12-22
Two Letters On Strategy addressed to Major von Roeder
Carl von Clausewitz wrote two letters on strategy to the Prussian general-staff officer, Major von Roeder, on 22 and 24 December 1827.
1828
Clausewitz's 'Der Feldzug von 1796 in Italien'
Clausewitz's work on the campaign in Italy in 1796, completed in 1828, which was not reflected in 'On War'. It is mentioned more often than the 1815 study.
1830
Appointment as Chief of Staff to Field Marshal Gneisenau
In 1830, when revolutions in Paris and Poland hinted at a new general European war, Clausewitz was appointed chief of staff to Field Marshal Gneisenau and the Army of Observation sent to the Polish border.
1831-11-16
Death of Carl von Clausewitz
Carl von Clausewitz, the Prussian general and author of 'On War', passed away on November 16, 1831 in Breslau, Silesia. His work on military strategy, particularly 'On War', had a significant impact on modern military thinking.
1832
Publication of 'On War' by Carl von Clausewitz
Carl von Clausewitz published his influential book 'On War', where he introduced systematic philosophical contemplation into Western military thinking and emphasized the complex nature of war.
1843
Publication of 'The Campaign of 1812 in Russia' by Carl von Clausewitz
In 1843, Francis Egerton anonymously translated Carl von Clausewitz's work 'The Campaign of 1812 in Russia'. This publication sheds light on military campaigns and strategies.
1853
Role of commander-in-chief in political decisions
Clausewitz suggested that the commander-in-chief should be involved in the cabinet's major decisions to align military actions with political goals. This concept aimed to integrate military strategy with political considerations.
1854
Presence of Essay in French Edition of 'On War' Missing in English Translations
The bibliographical essay that opened the original French edition of 'On War' titled 'Notice: sur la théorie actuelle de la guerre et sur son utilité' is absent or heavily edited in most English language editions. However, it is included in the 1854 American translation.
1873
Translation of 'Vom Kriege' by J.J. Graham
The principal translation of Clausewitz's 'Vom Kriege' into English in 1873 by J.J. Graham, making his work accessible to English-speaking readers.
1888
Publication of Nachrichten über Preussen in seiner grossen Katastroph
In 1888, Carl von Clausewitz's study 'Nachrichten über Preussen in seiner grossen Katastroph' was published. Partial English translations of this study can be found in various sources.
1922
Publication of Politische Schriften und Briefe
In 1922, 'Politische Schriften und Briefe' by Carl von Clausewitz was published, edited by Hans Rothfels. It includes a passionate statement of his principles and motives for resigning.
1943
Makers of Modern Strategy
An influential work that includes essays on military thought from Machiavelli to Hitler, with a notable contribution from German Clausewitz scholar Hans Rothfels. The book was significant for civilian strategic academics in the United States.
1962
Reference to Clausewitz in Lawrence of Arabia
In the film Lawrence of Arabia, General Allenby compares his own fighting style to that of Clausewitz, contrasting it with T.E. Lawrence's approach. This reference highlights the enduring influence of Clausewitz's ideas on military strategy and tactics.
1968
Anatol Rapoport argues against Clausewitzian view of war
In 1968, Anatol Rapoport, an American biologist, musician, and game-theorist, contended that the traditional Clausewitzian perspective on war was not only outdated in the era of nuclear weapons but also perilous as it encouraged a zero-sum approach to international relations and a decline in rational decision-making.
1970
Clausewitz: A biography
Roger Parkinson's biography delves into the life of Carl von Clausewitz, shedding light on his personal and professional journey.
1974
The Art of War from Waterloo to Mons
William McElwee discusses the imitative work of Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, based on the studies of Carl von Clausewitz, who influenced Napoleon's methods of warfare.
1976
Adoption of 'On War' at Naval War College
Carl von Clausewitz's 'On War' was adopted as a key text at the Naval War College in 1976, signifying the integration of his theories into the curriculum of military education.
1977
Conversation about Clausewitz in Cross of Iron
In the movie Cross of Iron, Corporal Steiner and Pvt. Schnurrbart engage in a conversation referencing German philosophers and their views on war, including Clausewitz's famous statement that 'war is a continuation of politics by other means.' This dialogue reflects the lasting impact of Clausewitz's theories on warfare.
1980
John Gooch's Critique of Clausewitz's Use of History
John Gooch argued that Clausewitz used history to support his theories rather than deriving his theories from history, but Clausewitz actually derived his theories from experience and tested them against history, allowing the test results to modify his argument.
1981
Adoption of 'On War' at Army War College
Carl von Clausewitz's 'On War' was adopted as a key text at the Army War College in 1981, highlighting the recognition of his work within the military academic sphere.
1984
Revised Translation of 'Vom Kriege' by Michael Howard/Peter Paret
Revised version of the translation of Clausewitz's 'Vom Kriege' by Michael Howard/Peter Paret in 1984, ensuring accuracy and clarity in the English rendition.
1985-04
International Conference on Clausewitz
An international conference on Clausewitz was held at the US Army War College in Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania in April 1985. The conference included papers comparing the reception of Clausewitz in Britain, France, Germany, and Italy, as well as the essay 'The Eternal Clausewitz' by Martin van Creveld.
1986
Special Issue of Journal of Strategic Studies
A special issue of the Journal of Strategic Studies titled 'Clausewitz and Modern Strategy' was published in 1986. It featured essays from the international conference on Clausewitz and continues to produce significant work on Clausewitz.
1988
William Manchester's Reference to Clausewitz in 'The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill'
In 1988, William Manchester referenced Clausewitz in 'The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill', highlighting different perspectives on war between Clausewitz and historical figures like Neville Chamberlain.
1989
Publication of FMFM 1: Warfighting
The U.S. Marine Corps's field manual FMFM 1: Warfighting, published in 1989, was essentially a distilled version of Carl von Clausewitz's 'On War' with influences from Sun Tzu.
1990-09
On War: Is Clausewitz Still Relevant?
John E. Sheppard, Jr. discusses the relevance of Clausewitz's work in the modern context in the journal Parameters.
1991
Martin van Creveld criticizes Clausewitz's Trinity concept
In 1991, Israeli military historian Martin van Creveld criticized Clausewitz's 'Trinity' concept, arguing that it was an outdated socio-political framework based on the state. Creveld proposed a new 'non-trinitarian' model for modern warfare, challenging Clausewitz's traditional ideas.
1992
Publication of Companion Volume to On War
In 1992, a companion volume to Carl von Clausewitz's major theoretical work, On War, was published. This volume included Clausewitz's political writings and a selection of his historical works, shedding light on his theories of war and providing insight into European ideas during the Napoleonic era.
1993
Finalist for the 1993 Translation Prize, PEN American Center
In 1993, the book was recognized as a finalist for the Translation Prize by the PEN American Center. The collection of Clausewitz's historical and political writings was praised for its superb translation and editing.
1994
Clausewitz in English: The Reception of Clausewitz in Britain and America, 1815-1945
Christopher Bassford delves into the reception of Clausewitz's ideas in Britain and America during the period 1815-1945.
1995
Crimson Tide Film Reference to Clausewitz
In the film 'Crimson Tide,' naval officers on a nuclear submarine discuss the quote 'War is a continuation of politics by other means,' attributed to von Clausewitz. The characters debate the interpretation of this quote, highlighting differing views on the nature of war.
1997
Publication of Marine Corps Doctrinal Publications (MCDPs)
The Marine Corps Doctrinal Publications (MCDPs), around 1997, reflected many of Carl von Clausewitz's basic concepts, showcasing the continued influence of his ideas in military thinking.
2002-10
Cliff Rogers and Jon Sumida's Debate on Clausewitz's Concluding Line
Cliff Rogers and Jon Sumida engaged in a debate regarding Clausewitz's sarcastic concluding line in Book Two, Chapter 2 of 'On War'. The line has been a source of confusion for many writers.
2005
Rethinking the Nature of War
A collection of eleven essays focusing on the 'new wars' of the post-Cold War era, with contributions from continental European scholars. The book challenges the relevance of Clausewitz in understanding these modern conflicts.
2007
Publication of 'Clausewitz in the Twenty-First Century'
A collection of papers presented at a conference at Oxford University in March 2005. The book discusses Clausewitz's relevance in the modern era.
2008
Decoding Clausewitz
Jon Sumida raised the problem of Clausewitz's argument that defense is inherently the stronger form of war in his book Decoding Clausewitz in 2008.
2011
Publication of 'Clausewitz: The State and War'
A collection of eight essays discussing Clausewitz's perspectives on the state and the necessary adjustments to apply his concepts to changes in the state's nature and role throughout history, including the contemporary era and the future. This publication has sparked numerous debates regarding Clausewitz.
2014
Clausewitz's Military Genius and the #Human Dimension
In 2014, Erfourth M. & Bazin discussed Clausewitz's military genius and the human dimension in their work.