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The First World Oil War
Oil is the source of wealth and economic opportunity. Oil is also the root source of global conflict, toxicity and economic disparity. When did oil become such a powerful commodity--during, and in the immediate aftermath of, the First World War.
In his groundbreaking book The First World Oil War, Timothy C. Winegard argues that beginning with the First World War, oil became the preeminent commodity to safeguard national security and promote domestic prosperity. For the first time in history, territory was specifically conquered to possess oil fields and resources; vital cogs in the continuation of the industrialized warfare of the Twentieth Century.
This original and pioneering study analyzes the evolution of oil as a catalyst for both war and diplomacy, and connects the events of the First World War to contemporary petroleum geo-politics and international aggression.
In his groundbreaking book The First World Oil War, Timothy C. Winegard argues that beginning with the First World War, oil became the preeminent commodity to safeguard national security and promote domestic prosperity. For the first time in history, territory was specifically conquered to possess oil fields and resources; vital cogs in the continuation of the industrialized warfare of the Twentieth Century.
This original and pioneering study analyzes the evolution of oil as a catalyst for both war and diplomacy, and connects the events of the First World War to contemporary petroleum geo-politics and international aggression.
416 pages, Hardcover
Published October 19, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 16, 2017
Winegard's book looks at the history of oil and how it fuelled the political ambitions of Europe and how these colonial and imperial ambitions resulted in the world wars of the 20th-century. Focusing on the middle and near east he shows how the need to control oil and oil routes redrew the political map in these regions.
"The competing belligerents of the Great War embarked on a violent crusade for nation state, power, glory, and economic advantage. They also fought for scarce resources, none more important than oil. The war...and The negotiators of the peace redrew the demographic, geographic, religious and economic map of the world." 4
"Oil inituated a complete transformation in the art of war, and oil ward became ward worth fighting." 17
"Oil is the epicentre of the global economy and the balance that provides homeostasis to world finance, economic markets, and war. Oil is the brokering leverage of international geopolitics." 286
"The competing belligerents of the Great War embarked on a violent crusade for nation state, power, glory, and economic advantage. They also fought for scarce resources, none more important than oil. The war...and The negotiators of the peace redrew the demographic, geographic, religious and economic map of the world." 4
"Oil inituated a complete transformation in the art of war, and oil ward became ward worth fighting." 17
"Oil is the epicentre of the global economy and the balance that provides homeostasis to world finance, economic markets, and war. Oil is the brokering leverage of international geopolitics." 286
December 27, 2018
You will find a lot of extremely interesting information in this book about little known aspects of WWI. However, you probably need to be pretty familiar with the war or else it becomes confusing. This comes across as 3 books in one. The first two books were the most successful but the last one updates the story to the present day.
1. This explains how oil became such a strategic commodity in WWI. The British began to find tactical and operational advantages in a fleet running on oil instead of the traditional coal. The downside was the UK had large coal reserves but virtually no oil. The Germans found similar issues, so the race was one to secure oil in the Middle East and Caucasus. The Brits were more successful so the last 1918 German offensive ground to a halt in part to no fuel.
2. The second book talks about a small "hush hush" British army of "volunteers" sent on a hazardous journey to the Caucasus with the ultimate aim of capturing Baku for its oil wealth or at least denying the Germans access. While the Germans were trying to get there, they were hindered by fighting with their Turkish allies who sought that area for pan-Turkic reasons. Ultimately this British unit known as Dunsterforce was forced to withdraw but at least denied access to the enemy. I had never heard of this campaign before so it was fascinating especially as elements of the Bolsheviks were wheeling and dealing for the oil.
3. The last part summarized how in the WWI settlement all of the major countries scrambled to control the oil in the Middle East and elsewhere. This was nothing to be proud of. It was pure and simple exploitation with the indigenous people left unable to determine their fate and instead gave control to authoritarian governments. Resentment against this treatment feeds much of the conflict and instability today.
The only negative of the book is the writing was not the smoothest and was rather dense. Also, in different chapters the authored seemed to go back and forth in chronology.
1. This explains how oil became such a strategic commodity in WWI. The British began to find tactical and operational advantages in a fleet running on oil instead of the traditional coal. The downside was the UK had large coal reserves but virtually no oil. The Germans found similar issues, so the race was one to secure oil in the Middle East and Caucasus. The Brits were more successful so the last 1918 German offensive ground to a halt in part to no fuel.
2. The second book talks about a small "hush hush" British army of "volunteers" sent on a hazardous journey to the Caucasus with the ultimate aim of capturing Baku for its oil wealth or at least denying the Germans access. While the Germans were trying to get there, they were hindered by fighting with their Turkish allies who sought that area for pan-Turkic reasons. Ultimately this British unit known as Dunsterforce was forced to withdraw but at least denied access to the enemy. I had never heard of this campaign before so it was fascinating especially as elements of the Bolsheviks were wheeling and dealing for the oil.
3. The last part summarized how in the WWI settlement all of the major countries scrambled to control the oil in the Middle East and elsewhere. This was nothing to be proud of. It was pure and simple exploitation with the indigenous people left unable to determine their fate and instead gave control to authoritarian governments. Resentment against this treatment feeds much of the conflict and instability today.
The only negative of the book is the writing was not the smoothest and was rather dense. Also, in different chapters the authored seemed to go back and forth in chronology.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews