World War I, sometimes referred to as ‘The Great War,’ indirectly set many actions in motion for the next few decades thereafter. Although this war resulted in the downfall of Russia, it also led to the creation of the Soviet Union. Along with the defeat of the Central Powers, also came the shaping of ‘new’ Middle East. One may also argue that the Great War was the strategic catalyst for future conflicts since this war along with the lingering sentiments left on multiple involved populations set the stage for the next World War. Understanding this war requires an in depth look into its nature, and the military strategies that plagued its key players, and perhaps the theories that best characterizes this war’s nature and origins. The theorist
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Allied and Central power offensive efforts involved Jomini principles in operational strategy including technological advances in weapons, railroads and sea power. Although air power was not truly realized until World War II, the Great War utilized aerial reconnaissance to augment combat power, illustrating technological advances. Powered aircraft, (but limited), served as an extension of the eyes for French ground commanders, and resulted in becoming a serious threat to enemy troops on the ground (Paret, pg. 628). The Great War was the first major war where battles were fought on the sea. Both the Allied and Central powers seemed equally match in that respect. Both powers maintained battleships, cruisers, and submarines enabling each to partake in naval warfare. Additionally, World War I allowed for quick and thorough transportation of military supplies and forces. Both Germany’s and France’s logistics plans included railroad timetables for the mobilization and deployment of troops as strategy (H108RA-255). World War I also illustrated logistical or technological advances in the form of chemical warfare. German leaders and planners sought to destroy their enemies with a no rules or any means type of warfare, which …show more content…
Failed diplomatic relations between certain actors within the Allied and Central powers led to assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, which ultimately initiated the First World War. Clausewitz wrote his famous sentence "War is the continuation of politics by other means" (Clausewitz, pg. XV). When Serbian officials assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, illustrating an act of war (or rather a continuation of politics by other means), Austria-Hungary subsequently declared war on Serbia. Serbian leaders had little doubt when planning this assassination that it would likely lead to war thus illustrating a systematic, yet complex scheme of approach. Territorial disputes or rather territorial agendas played a big part in why this war began, but more importantly why other actors (i.e. Italy, Romania, United States, etc.) decided to join the war effort when originally neutral. The United States had wished to stay out of the war; however, when several American lives were taken as collateral damage in an attack, the US had no option but to join the war effort (as an extension of political means) with the Allied Powers. Italy and Romania sought to add additional ground to their respective sovereign states motivating them to join the war
Allied and Central power offensive efforts involved Jomini principles in operational strategy including technological advances in weapons, railroads and sea power. Although air power was not truly realized until World War II, the Great War utilized aerial reconnaissance to augment combat power, illustrating technological advances. Powered aircraft, (but limited), served as an extension of the eyes for French ground commanders, and resulted in becoming a serious threat to enemy troops on the ground (Paret, pg. 628). The Great War was the first major war where battles were fought on the sea. Both the Allied and Central powers seemed equally match in that respect. Both powers maintained battleships, cruisers, and submarines enabling each to partake in naval warfare. Additionally, World War I allowed for quick and thorough transportation of military supplies and forces. Both Germany’s and France’s logistics plans included railroad timetables for the mobilization and deployment of troops as strategy (H108RA-255). World War I also illustrated logistical or technological advances in the form of chemical warfare. German leaders and planners sought to destroy their enemies with a no rules or any means type of warfare, which …show more content…
Failed diplomatic relations between certain actors within the Allied and Central powers led to assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, which ultimately initiated the First World War. Clausewitz wrote his famous sentence "War is the continuation of politics by other means" (Clausewitz, pg. XV). When Serbian officials assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, illustrating an act of war (or rather a continuation of politics by other means), Austria-Hungary subsequently declared war on Serbia. Serbian leaders had little doubt when planning this assassination that it would likely lead to war thus illustrating a systematic, yet complex scheme of approach. Territorial disputes or rather territorial agendas played a big part in why this war began, but more importantly why other actors (i.e. Italy, Romania, United States, etc.) decided to join the war effort when originally neutral. The United States had wished to stay out of the war; however, when several American lives were taken as collateral damage in an attack, the US had no option but to join the war effort (as an extension of political means) with the Allied Powers. Italy and Romania sought to add additional ground to their respective sovereign states motivating them to join the war