In the grand chess game that was World War II, 'access power' – the ability to use a nation's territory for military purposes – proved a crucial, often overlooked, strategic advantage. It wasn't enough to *have* powerful armies; you needed the *access* to deploy them effectively.
Think of the Allied invasion of Normandy. Without access to bases in Great Britain, staging the D-Day landings would have been impossible. Similarly, Germany's swift conquests early in the war were largely due to securing access through neutral nations, circumventing direct confrontation and outflanking defenses.
Access power wasn't always about conquest. Diplomatic pressure, alliances, and even economic incentives played roles in securing this vital advantage. Controlling key chokepoints like the Suez Canal or possessing strategic airfields within striking distance of enemy targets offered immense leverage.
Ultimately, understanding access power helps us appreciate the complex web of political and military considerations that shaped the course of WWII. It highlights how geography, diplomacy, and military might intertwined to determine victory and defeat.
