He argued that a nation, in order to have a strong navy, must have ports and colonies throughout the world where their fleet could anchor safely. The 1880s became the great age of modernization in the american navy as the u. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 free pdf books from bookyards, one of the worlds first online libraries to offer ebooks to be downloaded for free. In the book, the influence of sea power upon history, mahan claimed that countries with sea power were the great nations of history.
What is the historical significance of alfred thayer mahan. Historians have tended to devote more attention to the influence of. The influence of sea power upon the french revolution and empire. Mahan published a book entitled the influence of sea power upon history in which he emphasized the importance of naval power in maintaining national strength. Alfred thayer mahans book the influence of sea power upon history was highly influential because it altered the strategy and goals of nations who were maritime powers. Mahans lecture notes become the basis for his book, the influence of sea power upon history, published in 1890. In 1890, captain alfred thayer mahan, a lecturer in naval history.
Book cover of the 12th edition of thayer mahans the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 mahan argued that british control of the seas, combined with a corresponding decline in the naval strength of its major european rivals, paved the way for great britains emergence as the worlds dominant military, political, and economic power. I am an imperialist, captain alfred thayer mahan once remarked, simply. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 by alfred thayer mahan, 1918, little, brown edition, 12th ed. The editors of encyclopaedia britannica this article was most recently revised and updated by brian duignan, senior editor. It details the role of sea power during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and discussed the various factors needed to support and achieve sea power, with emphasis on having the largest and most powerful fleet. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Have read and reread the book, its suprising that it takes an american naval captain to encapsulate british royal naval history.
How does this painting of a charge up the san juan heights accord with the actual event. Alfred thayer mahan was a naval admiral who was a very effective advocate of imperialism. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 work by. The influence of sea power upon history not only helped to inspire americas naval renaissance and our nations foreign policy, but also an international naval race. Mahan served as president of the american historical association in 1902. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 dover. Buy influence of sea power upon history, 16601783, the by alfred mahan isbn. The first book, the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783, focused on the age of sail to the end of the american revolution.
The cause and effect relationship he posited between sea power and national. His book, the influence of sea power upon history, proved influential not only because of what it said, but also because of the impression it made on leaders. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 by. Influence of sea power upon history, 16601783, the. Naval war college 1885 and publish his best selling books about history. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 kindle edition by mahan, a. The pennsylvania state university the graduate school the. Have heard about this book for years, especially when on exchange duty with the united states navy. Terms in this set 27 alfred thayer mahan, the influence of sea power upon history. Mahan, the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783. The book brought mahan fame in his lifetime and ever since. The influence of seapower upon history by alfred thayer mahan.