Civilian Populations as Bomb Targets: A Historical and Psychological Study on the Effect of Strategic and Morale Bombing on Civilian Enemy Will to Resist

Author

Claire Peterson, Claremont McKenna CollegeFollow

Graduation Year

Fall 2013

Document Type

Campus Only Senior Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

International Relations

Second Department

Psychology

Reader 1

Jennifer Taw

Rights Information

© 2013 Claire Peterson

Abstract

Advances in airpower and bombing capabilities have brought airpower to the forefront of military strategy. Four cases are examined to explain the historical uses and goals of strategic and morale bombing of enemy civilian populations: Germany, Japan, Vietnam and Iraq. This historical data is complemented by psychological theory that helps to predict the effectiveness of these bombing campaigns on the civilian will to resist. This paper argues that strategic and morale bombing on civilian populations does not decrease the enemy will to resist.

Recommended Citation

Peterson, Claire, "Civilian Populations as Bomb Targets: A Historical and Psychological Study on the Effect of Strategic and Morale Bombing on Civilian Enemy Will to Resist" (2013). CMC Senior Theses. 760.
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cmc_theses/760