Similarities Between World War I And Modern Warfare

¶ … World War I is fundamentally similar to warfare as it is practiced today.

This paper reviews the relevant literature to provide evidence in support of the argument that World War I is fundamentally similar to warfare as it is practiced today.

Major and Supporting Points of Evidence

There were numerous innovations in military ordnance and munitions that took place during and following the U.S. Civil War, but the purpose of the warfare practiced on the field of battle in World War I was fundamentally similar to the purpose of warfare as it is practiced today for a number of reasons, including the following:

The fundamental purpose and nature of warfare today is identical to the purpose and nature of the warfare prosecuted in World War I;

Notwithstanding some differences in the composition of the belligerents and military tactics, wars are still fought and won by "boots on the ground"; and,

Despite technological improvements, the conduct of war today is essentially the same as the conduct of war in World War I.

Conclusion

The research showed that despite innovations in technology that have changed the face of the 21st century battlefield, the warfare practiced in World War I was fundamentally similar to warfare as it is practiced today.

World War I is Fundamentally Similar to Warfare as It is Practiced Today

Introduction

World War I witnessed the introduction of a wide range of innovations in military weaponry that changed the face of warfare, including the use of airplanes for the first time in history. Other innovations prior to and during World War I likewise improved existing munitions to the point where they became even more efficient and deadly. As a result, in many ways, World War I provided a portent of what war would like in the future. This paper reviews the relevant literature to provide evidence in support of the argument that World War I is fundamentally similar to warfare as it is practiced today.

A summary of the research and important findings concerning the similarity of warfare in World War I as it is practiced today are provided in the conclusion.

Review and Analysis

According to the definition provided by Black's Law Dictionary, war is "The hostile contention by means of armed forces, carried on between nations, states, or rulers, or between [their] citizens."

This definition distinguishes war from other types of military operations, including raids, rescue operations, counter-drug and anti-terror operations, peace-keeping missions, military occupations, shows of force, and a wide range of other activities which involve the use of a nation's armed forces.

Because it takes at least "two to tango" in order for a war to occur, the fundamental purpose of war has always been the same throughout history In this regard, Clausewitz described war as "nothing more than a duel on a larger scale ... An act of force to compel the enemy to do our will."

The belligerents in World War I inherited the bloody legacy of numerous innovations in military ordnance that took place during and following the U.S. Civil War, but the purpose of the warfare practiced on the field of battle in World War I is fundamentally similar to the purpose of warfare as it is practiced today for a number of reasons. For example, New reports that, "The purpose of war is to achieve an end state different and hopefully better than the beginning state -- the reason for fighting."

There are also some similarities between the manner in which the military operations of World War were conducted and the conduct of war today. In this regard, New notes that, "The conduct of war refers to the tactics, operations, and strategies of the war -- the how of fighting."

Certainly, it is reasonable to suggest that there have been some doctrinal changes implemented since World War I that take advantage of improvements in command, communications and control, but military commanders today still array their forces on the battlefield to take advantage of natural terrain and to achieve the optimal tactical fighting conditions to improve their chances of destroying the enemy. Indeed, destroying the enemy remains the nature of war which is unchanged from World War I. As New points out, "The absolute nature of war refers to its horror. War is about people and property being destroyed, damaged, and captured."

In virtually all cases, successful military operations in World WarI just as today require "boots on the ground" in addition to a coordinated military campaign.

Most historians agree that the improvements in military hardware the took place prior to and during World War I made the prosecution of war more deadly than ever before, but the manner in which bullets, flamethrowers, poison gas and bombs were used remained focused on destroying enemy forces, just as they are today. Although Predator drones on the modern battlefield have replaced the bi-plane pilots of World War I, the connection between the two weapon systems is clear. Furthermore, despite the nebulous characteristics of many jihadists organizations operating against the United States and its interests at home and abroad, the emergence of ISIS and other organizations with known geographical locations is consistent with the definition of war as being waged by one state against another. For instance, Hooker reports that, "Political scientists often attach stringent conditions to statehood, but a state can be described accurately as any political entity which controls territory and population and can effectively wield power relative to its neighbors."