The Origin and Evolution of U.S. Naval Strategic Nuclear Policy to 1960

Abstract

This thesis treats the impact of the atomic bomb on traditional naval strategy as that strategy had developed under the influence of Captain Alfred T. Mahan, how traditional naval strategy was modified by the development of naval aviation, the lessons of World War II, and the leadership of James Forrestal, and how the adoption of atomic weapons into naval strategic planning was integrally tied to naval aviation. The growth of the Soviet Union as a threat to world peace, and interservice rivalry over roles and missions are compared as factors that influenced the development of post World War II naval strategic thinking. The Navy's reaction to the adoption of massive retaliation as the foundation of the national strategic nuclear policy is discussed and analyzed.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1986
Accession Number
ADA177352

Entities

People

  • Harold C. Kreitlein

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Counter WMD
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerial Warfare
  • Air Force
  • Air Power
  • Aircraft Carriers
  • Airframes
  • Boats
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Military Aviation
  • Military Organizations
  • National Politics
  • National Security
  • Naval Operations
  • Naval Warfare
  • Navy
  • Nuclear Bombs
  • Nuclear Weapons
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Maritime and Naval Warfare Studies
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Strategic Security Studies