Commentary
During World War II, U.S. shipbuilding was decisive in overcoming the initial shock of the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. During the war, the United States would outproduce Japan in merchant shipping by a factor of 8:1, despite a weak shipbuilding industry throughout the 1930s. This was only possible because of actions taken by American industry well before the conflict began. As the United States prepares for another potential Pacific conflict, it should look to the 1937 Long-Range Shipbuilding Program (LRSP) as an example of how an aggressive industrial policy can greatly improve readiness.