Carl Clausewitz German military theorist Date of Birth: 01.06.1780 Country: Germany

1. Early Life and Military Career
2. Education and Mentorship
3. Role in Prussian Military Reform
4. Napoleonic Wars and Russian Service
5. Later Career and Impact
6. Death and Legacy

Early Life and Military Career

Carl Philipp Gottlieb Clausewitz was born on June 1, 1780, in Burg near Magdeburg, Prussia. In 1792, he joined the Prussian army as a cadet and in 1793, fought in the war against France.

Education and Mentorship

After the war, Clausewitz entered the Berlin Military Academy in 1801. Upon graduation, he was appointed adjutant to Prince August of Prussia, who was captured by French forces in the War of 1806-1807.

In 1808, Gerhard von Scharnhorst, head of the Prussian War Ministry, appointed Clausewitz as head of his office. He became close friends with August Neidhardt von Gneisenau, a future general.

Role in Prussian Military Reform

Clausewitz played a key role in the reorganization of the Prussian army. He taught strategy and tactics at the Officer's Military Academy from 1810-1812 and became its director in 1818. He was an advocate for an alliance with Russia against Napoleon.

Napoleonic Wars and Russian Service

When Prussia allied with France in 1812, Clausewitz resigned from the Prussian army and joined the Russian forces, where he rose from liaison officer to corps chief of staff. He returned to Prussian service in April 1814 and fought at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

Later Career and Impact

Clausewitz's strategic principles became influential in Prussia's victories over Austria in 1866 and France in 1870. From 1818-1830, he served as director of the General Military Academy. During a Polish uprising in 1831, he was appointed chief of staff under Gneisenau's command.

Death and Legacy

Clausewitz died in Breslau (now Wrocław, Poland) on November 16, 1831. His most famous work, "On War" (Vom Kriege), was published posthumously in 1833 and remains a seminal text in military strategy and theory.