Economic Planning as it Affects Military Strategy: The Rathenau and Speer Systems of Modern Industrial Warfare (1914-1945).

摘要

This study focuses on this strategic failure by using the German experience in World Wars I and II as an example. It should be noted that the failure to properly access and employ the economic element of power was not unique in Germany. The other industrialized nations of the world were just as negligent of this omission. This study has been divided into four major parts: the industrialization of Germany prior to World War I; the Rathenau System of war-production during the First World War; German military and economic preparation for war from 1919-1939; and the Speer system of war production during the Second World War. The analysis, basically, follows a chronological course, and results in an examination of those decisions and events which influenced Germany's economic and military potential during both world wars. The last chapter is an assessment by the author of the major lessons learned from both world wars. The conclusions of this study indicate that any industrialized nation contemplating war, defensive or offensive, should prepare detailed plans for mobilizing the human and national resources of the nation for total war, even if limited martial effort is the objective. Additionally the study shows that centralization of strategic and economic planning at the national level is key in achieving the national objective during war. (Author)