Western Way Of War Essay

War, in its purest form, is an act aimed at imposing one’s will over another’s. Throughout history, there is no lack of evidence to illustrate the importance of warfare and the effects of its aftermath. Ranging from its conduct and organization, to its influences on governance and the social contract paradigm, war has shaped the modern world. Nowhere in history; however, has the evolution of warfare had such long-lasting global affects than the practices found in western cultures. Described as the western way of war, armed conflict in western cultures reveals an undeniable linkage between war and political motive. From this understanding, one can appreciate the western way of war as more of a rational approach to warfare, focused on gaining a marked advantage over an adversary to achieve a deeper strategic goal. This then begs to question: how has the western way of war shaped conflicts, as historical actors endeavored to successfully enforce their will

The 17th and 18th century armies were mainly comprised of professional mercenaries; a decision resulting from an attempt to protect native subjects from the revulsions of war. Knowledgeable in battle skills and often recruited from foreign lands, mercenaries characterized a loyalty only to themselves, often fighting for whomever paid them best. They were habitually unreliable if their needs were not promptly met, becoming dangerous to war plan success and the aristocratic leaders that commanded them. Commanders like Maurice of Nassau and Gustavus Adolphus recognized the vulnerability mercenaries presented to their armies and took a structured, top down approach, of compliance through strictly regimented drills of large formations, instilling a level of discipline that would allow these two commanders to maximize their army’s