National Power Strategic Goals and Operational Art in the First World War

<p>Using the historical case study method of examination this monograph reviews the interrelationship of national power strategy and operational plans. It surveys the national power strategic goals and war plans of five countries prior to the First World War. The five countries selected for review are Germany Austria-Hungary England France and Russia. The paper provides a background summary of conditions in Europe prior to the outbreak of war reviews the factors which influenced each country's national power capability surveys the relative strengths and weaknesses of the potential antagonists examines strategic goals and operational plans and analyzes the linkage between power strategic goals and plans. Four conclusions are reached. First a relationship exists between national power strategy and plans. Second resource availability must drive the development of strategy and plans. Third strategy and plans must be based on realistic conditions. Fourth regardless of the quality of the calculations strategy or plans the fog of war may cause them to be wrong.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p><br>