The Prussian Reform Movement: a case study in defense reform

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Author
Liepman, James Morres Jr.
Date
1989-09Advisor
Abenheim, Donald
Second Reader
Stolfi, R.H.S.
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The author examines the development of the Prussian officers' corps and General
Staff system during the Prussian Reform Movement of 1806-1819. Using this
movement as a case study in defense reform, the author determines the basis of the
Prussian "tradition of excellence" central to understanding the qualities of Prusso-
German officership which generated the tactics and methods of command and control
many now wish to emulate. The author determines the historical roots and the essence
of Prussian officership. He further examines the transformation of war which occurred
between Frederick n and Napoleon I and the constituents of war which that
transformation changed—armies, means, costs and superstructure. The author then
analyzes the Prussian reformers' reorganization and reform of the Prussian army to
meet that Napoleonic challenge. The major conclusion of this study is that the essence
of Prussian officership is individual, not institutional, excellence informed by the spirit
of Bildung. that is, an acceptance of the lifelong requirements of an educated, cultured
officer corps.
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This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.Collections
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