TY - JOUR
T1 - Carl von Clausewitz and his Philosophy of War
T2 - The Evolution of a Reputation, 1831-2021
AU - Hughes, R. Gerald
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 The Author(s). History © 2021 The Historical Association and John Wiley & Sons Ltd
PY - 2021/1/27
Y1 - 2021/1/27
N2 - This article is concerned with the evolution of the reputation of the Prussian soldier and philosopher of war, Carl von Clausewitz (1780–1831). It examines developments in debates about the reception, and relevance, of Clausewitz's work for strategic thought in both the historical and contemporary contexts. This article takes note of many of the misperceptions and misinterpretations directed at Clausewitz's work since his death. It argues that much of the criticism directed at Clausewitz is rooted in a visceral dislike of past proponents of Clausewitz for their aggressive and militaristic policies. An appreciation of this history is nevertheless useful for facilitating accurate interpretations of Clausewitz's work. Finally, the article argues that the notion of Clausewitz as advocate of militarism and aggressive war has been largely discredited. Indeed, in today's Federal Republic of Germany, the reformers masterminding the Wars of Liberation against Napoleon, of whom Clausewitz was one, and the resistance involved in the bomb plot of 20 July 1944, have now come to represent a useable historical tradition.
AB - This article is concerned with the evolution of the reputation of the Prussian soldier and philosopher of war, Carl von Clausewitz (1780–1831). It examines developments in debates about the reception, and relevance, of Clausewitz's work for strategic thought in both the historical and contemporary contexts. This article takes note of many of the misperceptions and misinterpretations directed at Clausewitz's work since his death. It argues that much of the criticism directed at Clausewitz is rooted in a visceral dislike of past proponents of Clausewitz for their aggressive and militaristic policies. An appreciation of this history is nevertheless useful for facilitating accurate interpretations of Clausewitz's work. Finally, the article argues that the notion of Clausewitz as advocate of militarism and aggressive war has been largely discredited. Indeed, in today's Federal Republic of Germany, the reformers masterminding the Wars of Liberation against Napoleon, of whom Clausewitz was one, and the resistance involved in the bomb plot of 20 July 1944, have now come to represent a useable historical tradition.
KW - Clausewitz
KW - Strategy
KW - History of War
KW - Prussia
KW - Germany
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85099820821&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/1468-229X.13085
DO - 10.1111/1468-229X.13085
M3 - Article
SN - 0018-2648
VL - 105
SP - 773
EP - 805
JO - History
JF - History
IS - 368
ER -