Daniel Yergin – Oil Explains the Entire 20th Century
Dwarkesh Podcast
In War, Oil is the Lifeblood
World War II underscored the critical importance of oil as a strategic resource, influencing military strategies and outcomes. The Allies' bombing of synthetic fuel plants and the geographical ambitions of powers like Nazi Germany and Japan were deeply tied to oil access. Hitler's advance into Russia targeted the Baku oil fields, while Japanese naval strategies hinged on securing fuel, with missed attacks on oil tanks at Pearl Harbor potentially extending the war significantly. Generals like Rommel faced dire shortages, expressing the emotional weight of oil dependency. The U.S. actively targeted oil supply lines to undermine Japan, reflecting oil's pivotal role in wartime logistics. The realization of oil's strategic importance emerged post-World War I, solidifying its status in global politics and military planning, particularly as the U.S. emerged as a dominant oil producer.
