States of Power Major Powers Strategy

General Principles for Major Powers

Major powers share common strategic imperatives: managing multiple fronts, balancing industrial output between military and civilian production, and leveraging diplomatic weight to shape the global environment. The key differentiator between success and failure is usually the quality of early diplomatic decisions rather than military tactics.

Every major power starts with enough industrial capacity to sustain a significant military build-up. The question is not whether you can build an army but how quickly you can build the right kind of army for your strategic situation.

United States

The United States should prioritise economic development in the first 200 days, building goods factories to generate the income needed for massive military production later. Simultaneously, invest in naval infrastructure to support a future blue-water navy.

The US geographic position allows a player to observe the European and Pacific situations before committing forces. This patience is a strategic advantage — wait for the optimal moment to intervene rather than rushing into conflicts prematurely.

Military template optimisation: start with infantry divisions, then develop a mixed template of two tank battalions and one motorised infantry as your primary offensive formation once armoured vehicle production is established.

Soviet Union

The Soviet Union’s opening strategy must account for its exposed western border and the likelihood of a two-front war. Build a strong defensive line with infantry divisions along the German border while developing industry in the Urals beyond immediate threat range.

The Soviet manpower advantage is only decisive if you avoid losing your industrial core in the opening months. A successful Soviet strategy trades space for time, allowing the German offensive to overextend before launching a massive counteroffensive.

Germany

Germany’s optimal opening is the fastest possible consolidation of Western Europe, eliminating the French threat before turning east. This means prioritising military factory construction from day one and building at least 15 divisions before any major military operation.

Diplomatic timing is critical. A non-aggression pact with the Soviet Union before the Western campaign removes the risk of a two-front war during the most vulnerable period.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom’s strategy revolves around maintaining naval superiority and using its global territory network to project power. The navy must be maintained as the absolute priority — losing control of the English Channel or Atlantic sea lanes is an existential threat.

Once naval dominance is secured, build expeditionary forces to intervene on continental Europe. The UK cannot win alone but can decisively influence the outcome of any European conflict.

Japan

Japan’s strategy is defined by resource vulnerability. Before any major military operation, secure reliable supply routes for oil, steel, and rubber. Without these resources, Japan’s military capabilities degrade rapidly.

The decision point for Japan is whether to pursue northern expansion (Soviet Union) or southern expansion (Southeast Asia and Pacific). Each path has distinct advantages and risks. Southern expansion offers resource-rich territory but risks involvement against the United States. Northern expansion offers historical success against an initial Soviet weakness but can provoke a devastating response.