Relative to the Western way of war, the aspects of discipline, innovation, and finance best characterize warfare throughout the Napoleonic era . To place this argument within historical context, Europe experienced an enormous amount of change during the French and Industrial Revolutions. Knox and Murray regard these upheavals as catalysts contributing to the second and third “military revolution ”. Additionally, they label the new concepts introduced to warfare as Revolutions in Military Affairs (RMAs) . Identifying the RMAs associated with the age of Napoleon confirmconfirms the aspects of discipline, innovation, and finance best characterize warfare during this time periodperiod. For example, multiple RMAs associated with Napoleonic
…show more content…
This was a constant theme throughout the Napoleonic wars . Early French RMAs contributed to initial success, but the allies’ ability to adapt contributed to Napoleon’s defeat. The corps system is one example . This evolution ensured that early French victories were achieved with Napoleon’s manoeuvre sur les derrieres, or his ability to fix a force and attack their flanks and rear areas . Additionally, the coordination of the decentralized maneuver of these large formations was made possible through the creation of new staff sections operating at the corps level . Again, these innovations enabled Napoleon to decisively defeat his opponents decisively in relatively quick order. However, the allies’ eventually underwent their own RMAs in response to the French challenge. For example, Spanish resistance adapted a style of guerilla warfare and denied Napoleon a quick decisive victory . Essentially, Spanish insurgents innovated their approach to overcome the French corps system . Elsewhere on the continent, the allied forces developed new allegiances and combined resources as a means to defeat the French Empire . The concept of the coalition, as another RMA, enabled the allied forces to attack France on multiple fronts . Once again, many of the revolutions associated with the Napoleonic wars …show more content…
These particular aspects constantly appear when analyzing the RMAs associated with the French and Industrial Revolutions. In summary, France and Napoleon were quick to seize the initiative utilizing a form of patriotic discipline to support the Napoleonic style of warfare. Consequently, initial French success began a series of adaptations and innovations by the allies as a means to confront the French Empire. And finallyFinally, the financial and economic strategies employed by both sides greatly contributed to the downfall of the empire . Furthermore, given the idea of Total total War war was established throughout these conflicts, an interesting argument might be made that these three aspects were necessary to achieve this concept . Essentially, constraints to war were lifted when the concepts of discipline changed, innovation identified new and improved methods to destroy an adversary, and finally, the capacity of war dramatically increased through its financial industrialization . It would be interesting to study these three aspects and their relative importance throughout the total wars seen in the remainder of the 19th as well as the 20th century. One might expect discipline, innovation, and finance to maintain their relevance through these conflicts, as well as those in the foreseeable future
This was a constant theme throughout the Napoleonic wars . Early French RMAs contributed to initial success, but the allies’ ability to adapt contributed to Napoleon’s defeat. The corps system is one example . This evolution ensured that early French victories were achieved with Napoleon’s manoeuvre sur les derrieres, or his ability to fix a force and attack their flanks and rear areas . Additionally, the coordination of the decentralized maneuver of these large formations was made possible through the creation of new staff sections operating at the corps level . Again, these innovations enabled Napoleon to decisively defeat his opponents decisively in relatively quick order. However, the allies’ eventually underwent their own RMAs in response to the French challenge. For example, Spanish resistance adapted a style of guerilla warfare and denied Napoleon a quick decisive victory . Essentially, Spanish insurgents innovated their approach to overcome the French corps system . Elsewhere on the continent, the allied forces developed new allegiances and combined resources as a means to defeat the French Empire . The concept of the coalition, as another RMA, enabled the allied forces to attack France on multiple fronts . Once again, many of the revolutions associated with the Napoleonic wars …show more content…
These particular aspects constantly appear when analyzing the RMAs associated with the French and Industrial Revolutions. In summary, France and Napoleon were quick to seize the initiative utilizing a form of patriotic discipline to support the Napoleonic style of warfare. Consequently, initial French success began a series of adaptations and innovations by the allies as a means to confront the French Empire. And finallyFinally, the financial and economic strategies employed by both sides greatly contributed to the downfall of the empire . Furthermore, given the idea of Total total War war was established throughout these conflicts, an interesting argument might be made that these three aspects were necessary to achieve this concept . Essentially, constraints to war were lifted when the concepts of discipline changed, innovation identified new and improved methods to destroy an adversary, and finally, the capacity of war dramatically increased through its financial industrialization . It would be interesting to study these three aspects and their relative importance throughout the total wars seen in the remainder of the 19th as well as the 20th century. One might expect discipline, innovation, and finance to maintain their relevance through these conflicts, as well as those in the foreseeable future