These points are occupied by the defensive army, and attacked by the offensive; if on or near the base, they become the _key_ points for the former, and the _objective_ points for the latter.[3] There are also between these two a greater or less number of strategic points, which have an important though inferior influence upon the result of the war.
[Footnote 3: It may be well to remark that a strategic point is not necessarily a geometrical point; an entire province, or a considerable portion of a geographical frontier, is, in military language, sometimes denominated a _point_.

In the same way, strategic lines, instead of being mathematical lines, are frequently many miles in width.] The first object of the French in attacking Belgium, is to gain possession of the Meuse, as this position would give them a decided advantage in any ulterior operations.

In attacking southern Germany, the course of the Danube offers a series of points which exercise an important influence on the war.

For northern Germany, Leipsic and the country bordering on the Saale and the Elbe, are objects often fiercely contested by the French and other belligerent powers.

In a war between this country and England, Montreal and the points on the St.Lawrence between Montreal and Quebec, would become objects of the highest importance, and their possession would probably determine the result of the war.
The capital of a state, from its political importance as well as its military influence, is almost always a decisive strategic point, and its capture is therefore frequently the object of an entire campaign.