Naval Theory & Interwar
This theorist argued that controlling sea lines of communication—not decisive battle—was the key to sea power.
Who is Corbett?
This alliance system split Europe into two opposing sides before WWI.
What are the Allied Powers and Central Powers?
This German tactic involved groups of submarines attacking convoys simultaneously.
What are wolf pack tactics?
This 1941 attack brought the United States into World War II.
What is Pearl Harbor?
This U.S. Pacific strategy involved bypassing heavily defended islands.
What is island hopping?
This air power theorist believed wars could be won by bombing enemy industry and cities.
Who is Douhet?
This German naval strategy focused on attacking commerce rather than engaging fleets directly.
What is guerre de course / unrestricted submarine warfare?
This Allied system grouped merchant ships together under escort protection.
What is the convoy system?
This was the first naval battle fought entirely by aircraft where ships never saw each other.
What is the Battle of the Coral Sea?
This Allied strategic priority focused on defeating Germany before Japan.
What is the Germany First strategy?
This 1921–1922 conference limited battleship construction and introduced a 5:5:3 ratio.
What is the Washington Naval Conference?
This major naval battle of WWI resulted in a tactical draw but strategic British victory.
What is the Battle of Jutland?
This British intelligence breakthrough allowed the Allies to read German communications.
What is Ultra / breaking Enigma?
This decisive 1942 battle marked the turning point in the Pacific War.
What is the Battle of Midway?
This was the key difference between British and American approaches to defeating Germany.
What is indirect approach (Mediterranean) vs direct cross-channel invasion?
This interwar war plan focused on a potential conflict with Japan and the defense of the Philippines.
What is Plan Orange?
This failed amphibious campaign highlighted the need for better planning and coordination.
What is Gallipoli?
These technological advancements helped detect submarines below the surface.
What are sonar and radar?
This campaign marked the first major U.S. offensive in the Pacific and focused on Henderson Field.
What is Guadalcanal?
This factor allowed the U.S. to outproduce both Germany and Japan during WWII.
What is American industrial capacity / economic strength?
This major doctrinal shift gave the Marine Corps a defined role as an expeditionary amphibious force.
What is Advanced Base Operations / development of amphibious doctrine?
This event helped bring the United States into WWI due to submarine warfare and diplomacy.
What is the sinking of the Lusitania OR the Zimmerman Telegram?
This was the ultimate strategic goal of the Battle of the Atlantic.
What is maintaining supply lines to Britain / enabling the invasion of Europe?
This late-war battle demonstrated the extreme cost of amphibious warfare and kamikaze attacks.
What is Okinawa?
This concept explains why strategy—not just technology—determined how effectively resources were used.
What is the integration of strategy and technology / effective use of resources?