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How Guibert's General Essay on Tactics Influenced Napoleon and the French Revolution



Military Tactics Guibert: A Revolutionary Work of the Military Enlightenment




Warfare is a complex phenomenon that requires constant adaptation and innovation. Throughout history, military thinkers have sought to understand the nature and principles of war, and to devise effective strategies and tactics to achieve victory. One such thinker was Jacques-Antoine-Hippolyte de Guibert (1743-1790), a French officer who wrote one of the most influential works on military theory in the 18th century: The General Essay on Tactics. In this article, we will explore who Guibert was, what he wrote about military tactics guibert , why he wrote it , how he wrote it , what impact it had on warfare ,and why it is still relevant today.




General Essay On Military Tactics Guibert



Who was Jacques-Antoine-Hippolyte de Guibert?




Guibert was born into a noble family with a long tradition of military service. He joined the army at the age of 14, and quickly rose through the ranks, serving in various campaigns and wars, such as the Seven Years' War, the War of American Independence, and the War of the Bavarian Succession. He also distinguished himself as a writer, publishing several works on military history, politics, and philosophy. His most famous work was The General Essay on Tactics, which he published anonymously in 1772, when he was only 29 years old. The work was a comprehensive and systematic treatise on the theory and practice of warfare, based on his own experience, observation, and research. It was also a bold and radical critique of the existing doctrine and organization of the French army, and a proposal for sweeping reforms that would make it more efficient, flexible, and powerful. Guibert's work earned him both praise and criticism from his contemporaries, and influenced many military reformers and leaders in France and abroad. He died in 1790, shortly before the outbreak of the French Revolution, which would put his ideas to the test.


The context and challenges of the French army in the 18th century




Guibert wrote his work at a time when the French army was facing many challenges and changes. France was one of the most powerful states in Europe, but it also had many enemies and rivals, such as Britain, Prussia, Austria, and Russia. The 18th century saw several wars that tested the strength and resilience of the French army, such as the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714), the War of the Austrian Succession (1740-1748), the Seven Years' War (1756-1763), and the War of American Independence (1775-1783). These wars revealed many weaknesses and problems in the French army, such as outdated tactics, rigid formations, poor training, low morale, high casualties, slow movements, lack of coordination, corruption, nepotism, and bureaucracy. The French army also faced competition from other armies that adopted new doctrines and innovations, such as the Prussian army under Frederick the Great, who introduced lighter infantry formations, faster maneuvers, more effective fire discipline ,and better integration of infantry ,cavalry ,and artillery .The French army needed to reform itself to keep up with the changing nature of warfare ,and to regain its prestige and dominance in Europe.


The main ideas and innovations of the General Essay on Tactics




Guibert's work was a response to these challenges and changes. He aimed to provide a comprehensive and systematic guide to warfare ,based on his own experience ,observation ,and research .He divided his work into two books: Elementary Tactics ,which dealt with the tactics of each arm (infantry ,cavalry ,and artillery) ,and their maneuvers ,evolutions ,marches ,and battles ;and Grand Tactics ,which dealt with the strategy and planning of war ,the principles of war ,the art of command ,the composition and organization of armies ,and the conduct of campaigns .He also included a preliminary discourse ,a plan for a larger work on France's political and military situation ,and an essay on cavalry tactics .In his work ,Guibert presented many ideas and innovations that challenged the existing doctrine and organization of the French army ,and proposed reforms that would make it more efficient ,flexible ,and powerful .Some of these ideas and innovations were:


Infantry tactics




Guibert argued that infantry was the most important arm in warfare ,and that it needed to improve its training ,formation ,fire ,movement ,and combat effectiveness .He proposed that infantry should be trained in a simple and uniform system of drill ,manual of arms ,and formations .He also proposed that infantry should adopt lighter formations that would allow more mobility ,flexibility ,and fire power .He suggested that infantry should form in two ranks instead of three or four ,and that they should use columns instead of lines for marching and maneuvering .He also suggested that infantry should use fire by files instead of by platoons or volleys ,and that they should fire at will instead of by command .He also suggested that infantry should be able to fight in any terrain and situation ,and that they should be able to cooperate with cavalry and artillery .He also suggested that infantry should be able to double their ranks or form squares to resist cavalry charges.


Cavalry tactics





  • The importance of balancing offense and defense.



  • The importance of exploiting surprise and initiative.



  • The importance of concentrating force and economy of means.



  • The importance of coordinating and communicating with allies and partners.



  • The importance of understanding the enemy and the terrain.



  • The importance of respecting the moral and political aspects of war.



Conclusion




In conclusion, Guibert's work on military tactics guibert was a revolutionary work of the Military Enlightenment, and it had a profound impact on warfare in France and abroad. It was a comprehensive and systematic guide to warfare, based on his own experience, observation, and research. It was also a bold and radical critique of the existing doctrine and organization of the French army, and a proposal for sweeping reforms that would make it more efficient, flexible, and powerful. It influenced many military reformers and leaders who adopted or adapted his ideas and innovations, and it helped to shape the doctrine and organization of the French army and its allies and enemies during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. It also inspired many military thinkers who developed or refined their own theories and practices of warfare. It also remains a relevant and valuable source of military wisdom and knowledge for modern military theory and practice. It offers many insights and lessons for warfighters, strategists, planners, policymakers, scholars, students, and anyone interested in the art and science of war.


FAQs




Here are some frequently asked questions about military tactics guibert:



  • What is the Military Enlightenment?



The Military Enlightenment was a movement that emerged in the 18th century that sought to apply the principles and methods of the Enlightenment to the study and practice of warfare. It aimed to improve the knowledge, skills, organization, and performance of the military through rational analysis, empirical observation, scientific experimentation, critical thinking, innovation, reform, education, and publication. It also aimed to reduce the suffering, waste, and irrationality of war through humanitarianism, law, morality, diplomacy, and peace. Some of the leading figures of the Military Enlightenment were Guibert ,Folard ,Bouillé ,Ségur ,Jomini ,Lloyd ,Ewald ,Scharnhorst ,and Clausewitz .


  • What are tactics?



Tactics are the methods or techniques used by military units or forces to achieve specific objectives or missions in combat or operations. Tactics involve the planning, execution, adaptation ,and evaluation of actions that involve the use of fire ,movement ,and communication .Tactics are influenced by factors such as doctrine ,strategy ,organization ,equipment ,training ,morale ,terrain ,weather ,enemy ,and time .Tactics are usually applied at the lower levels of warfare ,such as platoon ,company ,battalion ,or brigade .


  • What are grand tactics?



Grand tactics are the methods or techniques used by large military formations or forces to achieve strategic goals or outcomes in war or campaigns. Grand tactics involve the coordination, direction, synchronization ,and exploitation of actions that involve multiple arms ,services ,or domains .Grand tactics are influenced by factors such as doctrine ,strategy ,policy ,allies ,partners ,resources ,logistics ,intelligence ,culture ,and history .Grand tactics are usually applied at the higher levels of warfare ,such as division ,corps ,army ,or theater .


  • What are principles of war?



Principles of war are rules or guidelines that represent truths or best practices in the conduct of war or military operations. Principles of war are derived from historical experience, theoretical analysis, empirical research, or logical reasoning. Principles of war are intended to provide guidance or advice to military leaders or planners in making decisions or solving problems in war or military operations. Principles of war are usually expressed as abstract concepts or general statements that can be applied to various situations or contexts. Principles of war vary according to different sources, cultures, eras, or levels of warfare.


  • Who was Napoleon Bonaparte?



Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) was a French military leader and emperor who rose to power during the French Revolution and dominated Europe during the early 19th century. He was a brilliant strategist and tactician who won many battles and wars against various coalitions of enemies. He was also a visionary reformer and administrator who transformed France and Europe in many aspects, such as law, education, economy, culture, and politics. He was also a controversial and ambitious ruler who sought to expand his empire and influence across the world, but also faced resistance and opposition from many nations and peoples. He was eventually defeated and exiled by his enemies, but his legacy and influence remain significant and enduring in history and culture.


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