Preview

Alfred Mahan Influence

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
588 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Alfred Mahan Influence
When looking at Alfred Thayer Mahan it is impossible to overlook his military prowess during the 1800’s as well as the immense influence he had on the United States militarily. However, unbeknown to most people Mahan was a scholar and writer as well as a budding political influence during the 1800s. It is only because Alfred Mahan was so capable in history, economics, and geography that he was able to become influential and make decisions and suggestions that helped to shape the United States as a global power. Without all the knowledge Mahan had acquired, in conjunction with his military knowledge, the United States never would have been able to take the steps during this time period that allowed it to become so significant throughout the …show more content…
Military Academy at West Point. Alfred Mahan’s father, Dennis Mahan, had a profound influence on the man that Alfred would become. Dennis himself was a renowned military influence during his time, he wrote a variety of books, many which were used as textbooks for students studying military influences and strategies. However, one of Dennis Mahan’s most crucial contributions was his use of topography and his use of certain terrain to develop new strategies as well as helping to develop and focus the concept of calculated risks. It is because of Alfred father, Dennis, that Alfred grew up surrounded by the knowledge of geography and theory, and was instilled with knowledge of and an intense pride for the United States and its military. It was largely to do with the influence of his upbringing that lead Mahan to join the United States Navy and become and influence of his own. Alfred Mahan’s focus on geography and economics was largely in part to do with his father, however it was Alfred’s interest in the field that allowed it to make it his own and use it to help officiate the United States as a world …show more content…
He taught navy history and tactics at United States Navel War College before eventually becoming president of the college in 1886. During this time Mahan published several books, two of his most important ones, which almost instantaneously became best sellers, were The Infulence of Sea Power upon History, 1660-1783 and The Influence of Sea Power upon the French Revolution and Empire, 1793–1812. The Influence of Sea Power upon History was focussed on Mahan argument that military performance at sea was vital for narrational supremacy, while the Influence of Sea Power upon the French Resolution and Empire was written to dictate the “interdependence of the military and commercial control of the sea and asserted that the control of seaborne commerce can determine the outcome of wars”. It was these books that allowed Mahan to start to become an important influence in the academic military world and start to gain attention from important and influential figures. However, it was not these books themselves that caused Mahan to become actively engaged in helping to the United States to become a world power, but instead it was the declining of the United States economy. Mahan unbeknown to many was a very active economist and sought to use this, along with other attics, in order to help the United

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    The accounts of Cray Jr. and Machin provide a contrasting representation of the early 1800s. While Cray Jr. presents a powerful nationalism that swept across the United States during this time, Machin details the embodiment of greed and getting into harm’s way emerging out of the Embargo with Britain. Between these two, the more powerful influence on daily life during this time-period was the nationalism which arose from the events of the Chesapeake affair.…

    • 374 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    APUSH Unit 7 Review Sheet

    • 3741 Words
    • 15 Pages

    Alfred Mahan American naval officer who wrote influential books emphasizing sea power and advocating a big navy 1890. Influenced TR to build a navy and influenced imperialism…

    • 3741 Words
    • 15 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In His Excellency George Washington, Joseph J Ellis examines the life (most particularly that of the military and political accomplishments) and personal character of Commander in Chief and Founding Father George Washington. Ellis is a renowned historian focusing on the lives of the Founding Fathers and the early history of the United States of America. Ellis’ other works include biographies on other presidents of the time period (John Adams and Thomas Jefferson) as well as other accounts of the Revolutionary War and the early period of independent America.…

    • 569 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Ap Us History Chapter 21

    • 610 Words
    • 3 Pages

    1. Those who favored overseas expansion by the United States in the late nineteenth century argued that…

    • 610 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    he time period after the American Revolution was a challenging time for the fledgling nation called the United States. The United States although did not have enough military power to exert to make other countries recognize its influence on World Affairs, the United States used other creative ways to prop up its interests in World Affairs. Three ways through which the US sought to enhance its interests in World Affairs was through The Treaty of San Lorenzo(TSL), The War of 1812 and the Monroe Doctrine(MD).…

    • 550 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    He was a leading expansionist who believed that America’s survival depended on a strong Navy. He wrote that it was time for America to “turn their eyes outward, instead of inward only, to seek the welfare of the country.”…

    • 915 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The four distinct features of the late 1700’s on U.S. foreign policy were to emancipate from the dependence of Europe, provide for an American market of production, to protect Americans by sea, and general peace. Based on the “No Entangling Alliances” Jefferson’s main goal was clearing all debt and breaking tides with Europe. Although Jefferson wanted to break away from Europe roots he couldn’t stress enough on the importance of over sea trade. For as it was in the best interest of America to open trade with foreign markets. Due to France and Britain wanting to have control over all imports and exports, Jefferson deployed naval vessels to protect the coast of America. Finally, Jefferson wanted peace for the nation not wanting to deal with the…

    • 156 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    HIST 117A Syllabus

    • 757 Words
    • 3 Pages

    This course surveys the history of the United States from precolonial times through Reconstruction (1877). C-ID HIST 130 (GC)…

    • 757 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Ap Us Chapter 22 Outline

    • 2105 Words
    • 9 Pages

    * Alfred Thayer Mahan emphasized the importance of a strong navy for national greatness in his book, The Influence of Sea Power upon History.…

    • 2105 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    William Robertson’s book titled, “The History of America” volume III book v, will be used to further convey validity of scholarly works, and demonstrate how a source merits value for a historian. This book was written at the end of the 1700’s; therefore, historians…

    • 657 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Hood's Military Theory

    • 423 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The many generals that fought in the Civil War would say in their respective memoirs that the training they received at West Point although beneficial could have been learned in the field all but military theory.…

    • 423 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Many men are judged on their character, integrity and contributions they have made. There are many men that have made an impact on the early beginnings of this young country, the United States of America. Whether they were a general, inventor, writer or an artist, in some way and some form they have contributed to the culture we have today. George Washington was one of the most important ones in the shaping of the United States of America. As the first U. S president, the Continental Army commander and his roles in the government etched him as a major figure in American history. He commanded many battles that were significant in gaining our freedom from the British. He was also a politician that was involved in many of the laws that were put in place during and after British rule.…

    • 1554 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the 1790s, the United States was troubled by both domestic and foreign affairs. As the new nation began to develop, relations with France would inspire foreign affairs and the rise of political parties would control domestic affairs. Throughout this time period, the American leaders experienced domestic and foreign affairs that came to be important in the rise of the new nation. Beginning with the election of George Washington to be the first president, domestic affairs played a key role in shaping American. The most important of the foreign affairs is the French Revolution, corresponding with Washington’s Neutrality Proclamation. Both domestic and foreign affairs were very important in shaping America. However, affairs at home were much more significant.…

    • 792 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The story of William Bainbridge, famously described here as having pervasive bad luck, sets the tone of the fate which befell the Americans frequently but specifically on the George Washington. The anger that must have seethed from their thoughts from the humiliation they experienced when their course was redirected to Istanbul under severe threats could not be tempered as Bainbridge himself swore that he would never take tribute to Algiers “unless authorized to deliver it from the mouth of our canon”. This told well of the humiliation as he once more quipped” such mortifying degradations….makes me ponder on the words, independent United States”. This meant that the lofty image the United States had of itself or the image it portrayed to some other nations as a powerful nation that could defeat the British Empire in battle was false. How do you explain defeating a giant yet yielding to an ant? Nevertheless, this was a catalyst for a nation to create and reaffirm its identity, to live up to the image it…

    • 974 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    From Zero to Hero

    • 1435 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Throughout history, many people have risen and fallen in power due to their weaknesses and strengths. Napoleon Bonaparte, the great war leader and eventual Emperor of the French, was brought down due to the brute attacks on France by the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, Russia, and even by his own arrogance and carelessness. On the contrary, George Washington, a wealthy farmer from Virginia, was able to lead the thirteen colonies into defeating the most powerful army in the world with his bravery. Sometimes, however, even the greatest of people are forgotten and left out from the history textbooks, their memories gone with their destroyed writings and lost philosophies. John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the United States, is such a person. Though not as recognizable as people like Benjamin Franklin and Alexander Hamilton, he too made contributions to both the Revolutionary War and the early American Republic. The founding father John Jay was able to secure his reputation as a leader by acting with patriotism, tact, and decency throughout his life and career.…

    • 1435 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays