Napoleonic Warfare: Transformation Toward A Modern Form Of Warfare

Most scholars would agree that Napoleonic Warfare began a transformation towards a modern form of warfare that still exist. The evidence shows that warfare in the Napoleonic Era is fundamentally similar to warfare practiced today. The French Revolution and subsequent Napoleonic Wars revolutionized military strategy and military operations. The Napoleonic era introduced three fundamental changes essential and relevant to how many militaries function and fight today. One change is the shift from a dynastic, private Army, owned by the king, to a public institution, funded, and controlled by the nation. A second change is from an Army with no military organization to a self-sufficient, multi-echelon organizations. Finally, Napoleon’s concept
Profound changes in the military institutions and practices, some already firmly established under the Old Regime, other still tentative and experimental were adopted by the Revolution, and develop further.7 The French Revolution invented the modern strategic organization that we still use today. The modern strategic organization employed multilevel staffing and planning, and worked with many specialized agencies serving one shared national purpose.8 In 1792 and 1793, the French pioneered the use of the combat division, combining infantry, cavalry, and artillery to create a small Army of a few thousand men which could operate either independently or with other divisions.9 Napoleon improved the organization structure by combining divisions into corps. The corps sustained short battles without supplies shortfalls. Napoleon utilized centralized command and decentralized execution to efficiently control the corps. He created multilevel staffing but maintain decision making at his level. These and other innovations changed the conduct of war and remain relevant to modern military
The transformation from an Army owned by the king to an Army that supports the nation is similar to today’s United States Army. The United States Army is open to all eligible citizens and promotions are based on performance and education, not one’s social status. Napoleon benefited from the new way of thinking and advanced from lieutenant to general. He later became emperor of France. Napoleon’s concept of adding an echelon to obtain better command and control has remained relatively unchanged over the past two hundred years. Napoleon first used the concept in an invasion of Russia in 1812. The concept continues to provide a military advantage to the United States Army during its’ fight against terrorism. Napoleon’s formation arrangement allowed for faster reaction time to his enemy assaults. The United States military utilized the concept that involves combined arms operations, bold deep attacks, and flexible operational methods. The shift to a national Army supported by its citizens, the introduction of multi-echelon organizations and maneuver warfare are just a few similarities between the Napoleonic era warfare and warfare practiced today. The Napoleonic era revolutionized the military and can be seen in the warfare practiced