The Formative Influences, Theories, and Campaigns of the Archduke Carl of Austria: (Contributions in Military Studies)

Archduke Carl of Austria lived during a time fractured by the collision of revolution and reaction, and he drew upon the French Revolution as the source for most of his experiences as a field commander and theoretician. He firmly believed that there were certain uncontradictable truths that governed warfare. This first English-language study of his theoretical writings offers a new perspective on understanding the mind of this military theorist through study of his intellectual background. The archduke's military career lasted from 1792 to 1809, and his serious work as a military theoretician and historian ranged from the 1790s to the 1830s. Eysturlid explores Archduke Carl's formative military education and experiences by examining the readings that formed the basis of his education and the instructors that exercised an influence over him. Archduke Carl was a definite product of his Enlightenment education and a diehard proponent of limited warfare. Chapters look carefully at Carl's major works on military strategy and tactics and observe in detail his actions and efforts during the 1796 and 1809 campaigns. Two historiographical chapters provide valuable contextual material about this poorly understood historical figure. Contents 8 Acknowledgments 10 1 Introduction 12 Part I: The Archduke Carl’s Education and Theories 16 2 The Life of the Archduke Carl 18 3 Early Intellectual Influences 32 4 Contemporary Influences 42 5 The Archduke Carl’s Tactical and Operational Writings: Fundamentals of the Higher Art of War and Contributions for the Practical Instruction 50 6 The Archduke’s Strategy: Fundamentals of the Higher Art of War and Principles of Strategy 62 Part II: The Archduke Carl at War and in History 78 7 An Analysis of the Campaign of 1796 80 8 An Analysis of the Danubian Campaign of 1809 96 9 Historiography to 1914 110 10 Historiography since 1914 124 11 Conclusion 136 Appendix 140 Selected Bibliography 142 Index 150 A 150 B 150 C 150 D 151 E 151 F 151 G 151 H 151 I 152 J 152 K 152 L 152 M 152 N 153 O 153 P 153 R 153 S 153 T 153 U 154 V 154 W 154 Z 154 At the conclusion of the Archduke Carl's first work on military theory and practice he stated that the "rules of military science have always been, and will remain." Explores this Habsburg military theorist and practitioners formative military education and experiences during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.