Influence of Sea Power Upon History
"The Influence of Sea Power on History, 1660-1783" is a highly influential book on naval warfare written by A. T. Mahan in 1890. The Royal Australian Navy describes it as "one of the most widely known books of the late 19th and early 20th centuries."
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The Author
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Alfred Thayer Mahan was born in 1840 and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1859. He fought in the Civil War. In 1884, he began lecturing at the newly-established Naval War College, becoming its president in 1886. He was promoted, in retirement, to Rear-Admiral in 1906.
The Book
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Mahan described the critical role that the Royal Navy played in Britain's rise as a world power. His main argument was that, since commerce is essential to maritime power, destroying the enemy's fleet (as opposed to merely blockading it) is necessary.
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Criticisms
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Mahan was criticized in his time and in modern times for ignoring the changes in naval tactics brought about by steam-powered ships, as opposed to sailing vessels. "It seems that a number of Mahan's theories founder when they run into the wars of 1854-85," said modern reviewer Brian Sullivan.
Influence on U.S. Policy
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Mahan's ideas resonated with politicians such as Assistant Secretary of the Navy Theodore Roosevelt. They encouraged the U.S. to keep territories that could serve as coaling stations and naval bases, such as Puerto Rico and the Philippines.
Influence on Global Policy
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The book was widely read in the U.K. and in Germany, where it influenced the naval arms race in the years leading to World War I.
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