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

Copyright

Copyright by the authors.

Included in

History Commons

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