Clausewitz, a historical Prussian military theorist, alongside Norman Angell, a contemporary and often misinterpreted academic, played significant roles in shaping the belief in rapid military victory in Europe. Their ideas contributed to a prevailing mindset that favored quick resolutions in warfare.
This belief, rooted in German military doctrine, suggested that conflicts could be resolved swiftly and decisively. Tuchman's "The Guns of August" explores this notion, highlighting its influence on the strategies and expectations of European nations leading up to World War I.