Importance of Theorists Regarding War Since 1945 in America

This paper discusses the importance of theorists regarding war since 1945 in America. It focuses on the theories of Antoinne-Henri Jomini and Carl Von Clausewitz and their impact on the military strategies of the USA. The paper argues that Jomini's principles of war are more useful to understand the experience of the United States since 1945.

Running head: HISTORY
History
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1HISTORY
Introduction
The aim of the following paper lies within the importance of the theorists regarding war
since 1945 in America. The two theorists to be discussed in this paper are Antoinne-Henri Jomini
and Carl Von Clausewitz. Both the theorists have been exceptional in designing the methods of
war. The theories of both the people seem to be much appropriate in context of the wars.1
However, the theories of these people seem to some people to be completely different. On the
contrary, some critics have found the theories to be quite similar. It can only be said in this
context that the theories of war have been implemented in several cases. Probably the theory of
Jomini can be more appropriate for America since 1945 than the theory of Clausewitz. The
arguments will be presented in this paper as to why one theory will be better than the other.
Thesis
The war ideas of Jomini are most useful to understand experience of United States since
principles of war in 1945.
Major points
Jomini’s Principles of War
Some of the most impactful principles of war are Objective, Offensive, Mass, Economy
of Forces, Security, Unity of Command, Surprise and Simplicity. Offensive attacking procedure
is showcases aggression among military forces. The offensive and maneuvering by military
forces is indeed a very important factor for their victory. Some crucial policies had been
1 Gray, Colin S. War, peace and international relations: an introduction to strategic history. Routledge, 2013.

2HISTORY
discovered by Jomini that could be very much effective for overall success in the battlefield. The
military forces should always prepare their objective for war. According to that they would select
the region where they would conduct the war because of several geographic advantages. The
armed forces should always choose regions with rivers, mountains and other geographical
barriers so they could gain a proper advantage. Thirdly, enemy forces should be maneuvered
properly so they can be made vulnerable. This should lead them to initiate an attack to gain
advantage.
Jomini’s cook book
Jomini’s cook book has been considered as one of the most important theoretical
concepts for deployment of the forces and taking advantage from enemies. The warfare strategies
have been very useful for United States Armed Forces since 1945. Jomini did not like the
warfare strategies that were used in previous times lacking the basic information about Tactics,
Techniques and Procedures (TTPS). These are regarded as most useful things for overall
development of strategies by military forces. The warfare strategies have been implemented in
US Army when Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) agreed to prepare a proper set of TTPs that could be
used in wars. In his cook book, Jomini has portrayed Napoleonic warfare strategies for the
aggression. A military thinker of America Dennis Hart Mahan introduced these strategies after
he spent four years in France.
Jomini’s philosophy
In the military confrontations he is not recognized as a vital figure but his comments on
the military strategies have been very integral from several aspects.2 His principles of war have
2 Thompson, Paul. Peace and war: a theory of international relations. Routledge, 2017.

3HISTORY
been very much evident in certain circumstances in the current times. According to Jomini, war
is a scientific phenomenon i.e. shrouded in darkness. There are no such steps that are routine in
the art of war. No such prejudices can be heard of either in this scenario. This kind of military
strategy is very much relevant in the case of America since 1945. The warfare strategies for USA
have evolved over the past few centuries. The use of the strategic air power has been a symbol
for the war for the military forces of USA. It had been most evident in the case where USA
dropped the nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during the Second World War.
Technology
The air bombing has been considered as one of the biggest strengths for America and it
has been followed by many countries like Russia, Israel and others. Jomini had focused on the art
and mechanics of the battle tactics. This always added an advantage for the countries that
followed it. The strategies of Jomini had been based on the formula and it gave more realistic
view of the warfare situations. However, the abstract thinking of Clausewitz has not been that
much appropriate in case of USA.
Strategy and innovation
In this segment of the paper, the arguments will be presented on the basis of utility of
warfare strategies by the countries. As per the experts, the military warfare tactics of Jomini is
more preferred since the tactics are more prominent and it has served the purpose of the USA
since 1945. Jomini had always described the art and mechanics of warfare through the geometric
terminologies. This gave the USA military forces the proper advantage in defeating the enemies.
The USA military forces have followed the instructions of the Jomini’s theory of war since they

4HISTORY
can apply it according to the theories. However, the theory of Clausewitz cannot be completely
rejected in this discourse as well.3 This has been one of the most important facts since this theory
has focused on the psychological dynamics of war.
Leadership
Leadership is also a very important matter in warfare strategies. USA has been using
military strategies. As the nature of war has changed, tactics and leadership strategies have
changed as well. In the warfare of 20th and 21st centuries, global alliances have played a major
role in this. The commanding officers of armed forces of United States have learned to see the
war perspective from different angles. As Jomini said, leaders have to command their battalions
by using all their resources and go for all out war. The economic perspectives are surely a major
fact when different parties of war come into the scene. In this scenario, it can be perfectly said
that warfare strategies of Jomini are really effective from several viewpoints. The offensive and
maneuvering strategies have been implemented properly by United States armed forces. These
strategies have been used by US Army in many situations like finding and killing of international
terrorist Osama Bin Laden and former President of Iraq Saddam Husain.
Summary
To be precise, it can be said that the theory of Jomini focus more on the operational
perspectives of the military management. This is why the USA military forces have adopted it
since the ending of the Second World War in the year 1945. On the other hand, psychological
aspects of the military management have been seen with utmost focus in the strategic warfare of
3 Witt, John Fabian. Lincoln's Code: The Laws of War in American History. Simon and Schuster, 2012.

5HISTORY
the military forces. The theoretical aspects of the military strategies as per Jomini have been
accepted by other countries as well since the operational management of military forces seems to
be the most significant aspect.4
Conclusion
The conclusion of this paper can be drawn by saying that both the war related theories by
Clausewitz and Jomini have been very much significant in several aspects. The experts have
viewed both these theories from different perspectives. United States of America has been
implementing several strategies since 1945 to be dominant in the military power since they are
the largest military forces in the world. Therefore, the war theories by Jomini will probably the
most relevant for them since they have to maintain a huge army force. This will be a huge bonus
for them as this seems to be much suitable for them.
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4 Clark, Joseph Roger. "To win wars, correct the Army's political blind spot." Parameters 45.4 (2015): 27.

6HISTORY
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