Full Description
Anglo-American theoreticians have to a large extent dominated the formulation and study of modern naval strategy in Western countries. This Anglo-American dominance has resulted in a focus on how the superior power should exploit its superiority in order to realize its strategic objectives. The present study differs from other books on naval strategy by analysing a military strategy for the inferior power instead. Along with Tirpitz's "risk theory", The Jeune École is the most significant maritime strategy dealing with the dilemmas facing the weaker navy. This French body of naval thought is distinguished from other strategies of the weak by its elaborate prescriptions for the offensive use of naval forces. This book represents an unprecedented study of The Jeune École based on hitherto unexploited and unpublished primary sources from the Service Historique de la Marine.
Contents
Acknowledgements .. vii
Introduction .. ix
Chapter One The Theoretical Foundation of the Jeune École .. 1
The Predecessor of the Jeune École .. 1
Strategic Assessment .. 7
Commercial Warfare .. 13
Raiding the Enemy's Sea Lines of Communication .. 13
Bombardment of the Enemy's Coast .. 21
The Jeune École and International Law .. 24
The Critics of the Jeune École .. 24
International Law Incompatible with War .. 27
Limited War or Total War—Impacts on Military Thinking .. 35
From Cabinet War to the Wars of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars .. 38
The American Civil War and the Franco-Prussian War .. 45
Summary .. 50
Chapter Two The Jeune École in Office .. 53
Strategic Assessment .. 53
Verifying the Excellence of the Torpedo Boats .. 63
Rapprochement between Aube and the Council of Admiralty .. 77
Summary .. 81
Chapter Three The Legacy of the Jeune École .. 85
The Strategic Outlook of the French Navy up to the Fashoda Crisis .. 86
The Disciples of Aube .. 97
Total War and International Law .. 98
The Potential Enemies .. 100
The Naval Programme of the Heirs .. 105
The Return of the Jeune École to Power .. 109
The Jeune École and the Staff College .. 111
From Lockroy's First Period as Minister of Marine to the Fashoda Crisis .. 130
Summary .. 137
Chapter Four The Fashoda Crisis and the Development of a Modern Navy .. 143
Confrontation Between France and Great Britain .. 143
Italy, the Perfect Enemy .. 156
After Fashoda .. 161
Lanessan's Analysis .. 161
The Reform .. 165
Summary .. 174
Chapter Five The Revitalisation of the Jeune École .. 177
Changing Alliances among the European Powers .. 177
The Submarine and the Jeune École .. 189
The Pelletan Regime .. 213
Summary .. 221
Conclusion .. 225
Appendix: Ministers of Marine 1870-1914 .. 231
Bibliography .. 233
Index .. 239
