STRATEGY AND STRATEGIC THINKING IN THE FIRST WORLD WAR

Michael Neiberg, Army War College

Although the United States currently does not envision fighting a total war like the First World War, the conflict of 1914-1918 nevertheless offers numerous strategic lessons. These lessons include the need to adapt strategy to the reality of war when prewar plans fail to meet strategic objectives; the development of global strategy; and the strategic identification of the goals for conflict termination. This course will not be a history of the First World War per se; although a working knowledge of the war and its main events will no doubt prove useful, it is not required.