Two Historians in Technology and War

摘要

In April 1994, the Army War College's Strategic Studies Institute held its annualStrategy Conference. The theme for this year's conference was 'The Revolution in Military Affairs: Defining an Army for the 21st Century. New technology is one of the most compelling aspects of the current Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA). Technological advanced has offered advantages to one side or another at various times since the dawn of history and the advent of armed conflict. The Army must understand this revolution in all of its parts. Just as importantly, professional soldiers must retain their professional perspective and avoid becoming enchanted with technology. While technologically sophisticated weapons can help secure victory, technology in and of itself cannot win wars. Ultimately, wars are won or lost in the minds of soldiers and their leaders. Soldiers can learn about warfare from either personal experience or from studying history. The study of the history of warfare provides the student with an opportunity to examine critical aspects of warmaking without the risk. Fortunately for those who study the reasons for, and results of, conflict, this year's Strategy Conference began with a keynote address by one of the world's foremost military historians, Sir Michael Howard. His address was followed, in the first formal session, by a paper presented by Dr. John F. Guilmartin, Jr. who analyzed the technological limits of strategy.