History Rhymes: Utilizing Lessons From Mahan and Corbett in World War 1 for Application to a Potential Sino-U.S. Conflict
Abstract
A famous aphorism often erroneously attributed to Mark Twain states, "History does not repeat itself, but it often rhymes." Currently, it is hard to ignore the similarities between the pre-World War I era and the present situation between the United States and China. This paper examines the theoretical frameworks of Alfred Thayer Mahan and Julian Corbett to provide a comparative analysis of World War I and a potential Sino-United States maritime conflict. An in-depth examination of both Mahan and Corbett's theories as well as their applicability to both the conduct and outcomes of World War I are used to assess the current strategic situation between the United States and China. The paper proceeds to highlight the enduring relevance of Mahan and Corbett's theories in understanding contemporary maritime great power competition and concludes by offering several strategic recommendations for how the United States can counter Chinas rise and respond in the event of armed conflict in the maritime domain.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 12, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1209867
Entities
People
- Chris Martin
Organizations
- Naval War College