Degree Name
MA (Master of Arts)
Program
History
Date of Award
8-2021
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Stephen Frtiz
Committee Members
Steve Nash, Henry Antkiewicz
Abstract
The evolution of United States military doctrine was heavily influenced by the Wehrmacht and their early Blitzkrieg campaigns during World War II. This thesis traces the origins of this development and shows how the context of the Cold War led to a heavy influence by the Wehrmacht on American military doctrine. By analyzing studies conducted by the United States Army Historical Division from 1946-1961, I will show how these studies left a profound impact on American Military doctrine, particularly in the context of the Cold War. I will show the development of the Active Defense Doctrine and AirLand Battle during the 1970s and 1980s were largely influenced by lessons learned from the Wehrmacht. By comparing these doctrines with the Wehrmacht's Truppenführung, the influence is undeniable. Finally, I will show how the American military put these lessons into practice during Operation Desert Storm in 1991.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Evans, Briggs, "Blitzkrieg: The Evolution of Modern Warfare and the Wehrmacht’s Impact on American Military Doctrine during the Cold War Era" (2021). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 3927. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/3927
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.