Comparing three of the major hydroelectric power-producing countries during the war – Canada, the United States, and Germany – this article considers the implications of expanding hydroelectricity for war production and strategy, and how wartime decisions structured the longer-term evolution of large technological systems. Despite different starting points, all three countries pursued similar strategies in attempting to mobilize hydroelectricity for the war effort. The different access to and use of hydro in these states produced a vital economic and ultimately military advantage or disadvantage. The global dimensions of hydroelectric development during the war, moreover, demonstrate that this conflict was a turning point in the history of electrification.

中文翻译：

---

水力强国：第二次世界大战和加拿大、美国和德国的水电动员

本文比较了战争期间的三个主要水力发电国——加拿大、美国和德国——探讨了扩大水力发电对战争生产和战略的影响，以及战时决策如何构建大型技术的长期演变系统。尽管起点不同，但这三个国家都采取了类似的战略，试图为战争动员水电。这些州对水电的不同访问和使用产生了至关重要的经济优势或最终的军事优势或劣势。此外，战争期间水电开发的全球规模表明，这场冲突是电气化历史上的一个转折点。