Prompt Cast
The Plan Dog Memorandum: How the US Strategized its Involvement in World War II
TLDR The Plan Dog Memorandum, also known as the Europe First Strategy, was a plan developed by the United States during World War II to prioritize the war in Europe over Japan. This strategy allowed the US to focus on protecting the UK and winning the war in Europe first, before turning its attention to Japan.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
During World War II, the United States developed a plan called the Plan Dog Memorandum in anticipation of getting involved in the war.
01:30
The United States had a long-standing policy of staying out of European wars, but military planners were still developing plans for potential conflicts, such as war with Japan.
02:44
In the 1930s, the United States developed various plans for potential wars with Japan, Germany, and Britain, but due to changing events and technology, new plans were developed in 1939 to cover all contingencies.
03:57
In a memorandum written by Admiral Harold Stark, four possible scenarios for the United States joining the war in Europe and Asia were outlined, with Scenario A being a war with Japan without any allies.
05:16
The recommendation in the memorandum was for the United States to enter the war with Germany and Italy, as it was believed that this option would provide the necessary assistance to Great Britain and promote the United States' national interests.
06:31
The Dog Plan Memorandum, also known as the Europe First Strategy, was informally supported by top military leaders and President Roosevelt, and it made strategic sense to prioritize Europe over Japan in the war effort.
07:50
The US prioritized protecting the UK and winning the war in Europe first, with the assumption that they could then focus on Japan later, and this strategy ended up playing out as a two-front war fought at full strength.
