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

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.

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