Military modernisation 1789-1918

• What is understood by the “Napoleonic art of war”?

  Art of war refers to the use of quick offensive strategy to get victory it is believed that because of this quick offensive

  strategy you will get short lived wars. The strategy was used by napoleon and other great powers mainly during the 18th

  century.
• What was the direct cause of the First World War?

  The direct cause for the First World War was the assassination of Franz Ferdinand. he was the air to the Austrian Hungarian

  thrilled but was killed in Serbia in 1918 by gavril princip.
• What is the "Short War" Illusion?

  The "short war" illusion refers to the widespread belief among European leaders and military strategists before World War I that wars would be short-lived and decisive. This illusion was closely tied to the "cult of the offensive," which emphasized the importance of swift and violent offensives in achieving victory.
• Why did this illusion exist?

  The illusion of a short war was rooted in the historical experience of the Napoleonic wars, where battles were often brief but intense. This led many to believe that wars would continue to be short and decisive. However, the rapid advancements in military technology and the development of defensive strategies made it increasingly unlikely that wars would be short-lived.
• What were the consequences of this illusion?

  The "short war" illusion had significant consequences. It led to a focus on mobilization and rapid military action, which ultimately proved to be ineffective and costly. The war lasted for four years, resulting in immense human suffering and destruction.
• How did this illusion impact the course of World War I?

  The "short war" illusion influenced the strategic decisions made during the early months of World War I. Leaders and military commanders believed that a swift and decisive victory was possible, leading to a series of costly and ineffective military campaigns. The illusion was eventually shattered by the prolonged and bloody nature of the war, which ultimately led to the defeat of the Central Powers.
• Why did the European great powers fail to comprehend the impact of military innovations on the conduct of warfare?

  Because they had not had the opportunity to test these innovations against other powers of similar strength. Their understanding of technical warfare came from colonial wars and the American Civil War, where the opposition was no match for their firepower.(believe that they could simply wait for the enemy to attack and then counterattack) However, they did not learn from the American Civil War because they were Eurocentric and did not consider the experiences of other regions.
• What did military innovations during the 19th century imply about the conduct of warfare?

  They implied that the defense would dominate the offense. This was because the introduction of machine guns and other advanced technologies made it difficult for armies to advance without suffering heavy casualties. As a result, warfare became more defensive, with armies focusing on fortifying their positions and using trenches to protect themselves from enemy fire.