The Military Enlightenment: War and Culture in the French Empire from Louis XIV to Napoleon

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By Christy Pichichero ’98

Published Feb. 12, 2018

Transforming progressive ideas into practice, the French military was one of the few institutions to actualize Enlightenment theories. The Military Enlightenment explains how the ideas in the Geneva Convention, awareness of post-traumatic stress disorder, and soldier heroism all originated in the 18th century French military.

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PAW’s December 2025 cover, with a photo of Michael Park ’98.
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December 2025

Judge Michael Park ’98; shifts in DEI initiatives; a night at the new art museum.