Changing Warfare

Paper Summary:

An examination of the changing nature of warfare between 1860 and 1960 and a look at the reasons for these changes. The paper also attempts to define the change in the structure of wars over this period of time by considering whether wars are always decided by one major battle, or if there are more complicated factors to explain the outcomes of each war.

Table of Contents
Analysis of the American Civil War
European conflicts-Austro-Prussian and Franco-Prussian Wars.
The Boer War-colonialism and the development of guerilla warfare.
The surprise victory of the Japanese in the Russo-Japanese conflict.
The reasons for the Allied victories in the First and Second World Wars-how technology was implicated.
The Battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954-the importance of environmental knowledge in warfare.

From the Paper:

"In 1909, F.T. Marinetti stated that, 'We will glorify war-the world's only hygiene-militarism, patriotism, the destructive gesture of freedom-bringers, beautiful ideas worth dying for, and scorn for woman.' This belief in the glory of war held by many at the turn of the century, was completely changed with the horrific events of two world wars in 1914 and 1939. Indeed, the basic principle of the concept known as 'total war' practiced throughout many twentieth century conflicts was largely unheard of in the previous century. In contrast to the majority of conflicts in the nineteenth century, the distinction between civilians and soldiers of the twentieth century became increasingly blurred. In examining past wars we can observe that changes have taken place both regarding the principles and technology of war. "

More papers on Changing Warfare:

• Essay # 87498 : "Technology and Warfare"
• Essay # 3005 : "Into the Air: Changing a War"
• Essay # 37167 : "Plains Indians Warfare During the 19th Century"

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