History almost without exception affirms that this is true. Alfred thayer mahan, a maritime historian, examines the united states relationship with naval forces in the past, and attempts to forecast the countrys future as a naval power. Their studies occurred against the backdrop of military analysis by such theorists as jomini and clausewitz, and, in mahan s case, the writings on war. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 1890. Alfred thayer mahans most popular book is the influence of sea power upon history, 1660. See all 6 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Excerpts from the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 1890 by alfred thayer mahan first, in peace. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 alfred thayer mahan full view 1911. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601805 hardcover illustrated, december 1, 1987. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 12th. Mahans lectures, based on secondary sources and the military theories of jomini, became his seapower studies. Mahans writings and lectures greatly influenced theodore roosevelt, henry cabot lodge, and other world leaders, including german emperor wilhelm ii, shaping global policy based on sea power at the beginning of the 20th century. It details the role of sea power throughout history and discusses the various factors needed to support a strong navy. Alfred thayer mahans study of history led him to strongly believe that a nations sea power determined its economic wealth and international prominence.
Both the american naval officer, alfred thayer mahan, and the lawyer from england, julian s. Oct 22, 2010 the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 is an influential treatise on naval warfare written in 1890 by alfred thayer mahan. Other articles where the interest of america in sea power, present and future is discussed. Alfred thayer mahans at the time of original publication mahan was a captain the influence of sea power upon history was and perhaps remains, the single most influential book ever written by an american. Indeed, he might be considered the thinker on sea power, the essential starting point for studying the course and conduct of war at sea and for understanding the strategic importance of the maritime commons in determining the rise and fall of great powers. Mahan s scholarly effort, in preparation for a teaching assignment at the naval war college in newport, rhode island, lead him to prepare an unprecedented.
Although not as well known, the influence of sea power upon history, written by captain alfred thayer mahan and published in 1890, was a groundbreaking study that explained how the british empire. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 alfred thayer mahan first, in peace. Alfred thayer mahan stands out as one of the foremost thinkers on naval warfare and maritime strategy. To affirm the importance of distant markets, and the relation to them of our own immense powers of. September 27, 1840 december 1, 1914 was a united states naval officer and historian, whom john keegan called the most important american strategist of the nineteenth century. History of sea power one of contest between nations, therefore largely military, 1. Mahans thesis that for an nation to be great it had to be a sea power was immensely influential in the growth of the german navy prior to world war 1 and the expansion of the us into overseas areas in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Indeed, he might be considered the thinker on sea power, the essential starting point for studying the course and conduct of war at sea and for understanding the strategic importance of the maritime.
The united states looking outward navy captain alfred t. The influence of sea power upon history by alfred thayer mahan. Sea power and american interests in the western pacific. How influential was the influence of sea power upon history. Alfred thayer mahan, published the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 in 1890. This excerpt is from alfred thayer mahans the influence of sea power upon history. Young mahan spent his early years at west point, until he was sent to a boarding school.
Excerpts from alfred thayer mahans the interest of america in sea power. Air force colonel, reported undergoing a cometo mahan moment. How influential was the influence of sea power upon. Jan 05, 2016 suzanne geisslers god and sea power is a delightful, wellresearched, and fascinating book. The project gutenberg ebook, the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783, by a. He emphasized the importance of sea power and was inspirational in establishing navies around the world. Thayermahan is driving a massive paradigm shift in how maritime security is accomplished. Save the romans, there is no marked instance to the contrary. In the interest of america in sea power, present and future 1897, he sought to arouse his fellow americans to a realization of their maritime responsibilities.
Mahan was sent by the navy to found the united states naval war college in 1873. Alfred thayer mahan was born on 27 september 1840 at west point, new york, where his father, dennis hart mahan, was a distinguished professor of civil and military engineering at the us military academy. Its possible future and its present crisis, summoned americans to spread their religion and values. The project gutenberg ebook of the influence of sea power. Alfred thayer mahans thoughts, his naval theories, and his contribution to sea power.
Corbett, examined sea warfare between and among england, france and spain from the late 1500s onward. Wrote the influence of sea power upon history, which argued that control of the sea was the key to world dominance. The influence of sea power upon the french revolution and empire, 17931812 2 vols. It is deeply biographical, concerning itself primarily with the mans christian life, albeit a christian life lived through a seagoing career and. In france we dont do as you, where a few people take a great many shares each. The project gutenberg ebook of the influence of sea power upon. The growth of british sea power england after the peace of utrecht, 1715 17. In large measure, mahans effectiveness was derived from his style in discourse. Alfred thayer mahan s study of history led him to strongly believe that a nations sea power determined its economic wealth and international prominence. The influence of sea power upon history, 1660 1783 by. Alfred thayer mahan, the interest of america in sea power 1897 alfred thayer mahan was a u.
Fundamental principles of sea power, analysis of naval history, thoughts on policies and prospects for the future, much more. Other articles where the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 is discussed. Since men live upon the land and not upon the sea, great issues 3 ibid. Considering sea power as the most important factor in the formation of world domination, a. Mahan s lecture notes become the basis for his book, the influence of sea power upon history, published in 1890.
Mahan served as president of the american historical association in 1902. The influence of sea power upon history, 1660 1783, published in 1890, and the influence of sea power upon the french revolution and empire, 17931812, published two years later. This excerpt is from alfred thayer mahans the influence. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 work. Sep 11, 20 the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 by alfred thayer mahan, 1918, little, brown edition, 12th ed. In 1890, mahan published one of the most important books of the age, the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 is an influential treatise on naval warfare written in 1890 by alfred thayer mahan. Mahans scholarly effort, in preparation for a teaching assignment at the naval war. A nation exhausted by isolation france under louis xiv 16. Alfred thayer mahan 18401914, widely recognized as the father of seapower theory, held that a world power needs overseas access to raw materials and. Mahans lecture notes become the basis for his book, the influence of sea power upon history, published in 1890. Airsea battle came to my office last week when one of my colleagues, a u. Young mahan spent his early years at west point, until he was sent to a boarding school in maryland, st.
View alfred thayer mahan research papers on academia. Mahan s sole focus on sea power are valid, but it is important to understand that the requirements for the success of a nation and the principles upon which mahan based his writings on sea power are just as essential today to other elements of national power as they were essential in the late 19th century for sea power. Books by alfred thayer mahan author of the influence of. Our whiteboardtowet in six months mantra inspires our team to reach new heights and depths, to the benefit of our customers. The book, which came at a time of great technological improvement in warships, won. Writing at the close of the nineteenth century, mahan realized that the united states was at the threshold of becoming a major world power. Mahan identified six main factors which influence the naval power of the state. His concept of sea power had an enormous influence in shaping the strategic thought of naval officials across the world, especially in the united states, germany, japan and britain. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 by alfred thayer mahan, 1918, little, brown edition, 12th ed. With regard to mahans elements of sea power, china is situated in the heart of eastcentral asia and has a lengthy seacoast, a huge population, a growing economy, growing military and naval. The younger mahan, however, attended annapolis and embarked on a naval career seeing duty in the south atlantic and gulf of mexico against the confederacy.
Apr 17, 2012 if sea power be really based upon a peaceful and extensive commerce, aptitude for commercial pursuits must be a distinguishing feature of the nations that have at one time or another been great upon the sea. Mahans scholarly effort, in preparation for a teaching assignment at the naval war college in newport, rhode island, lead him to prepare an unprecedented. Thayermahan maritime surveillance solutions for defense. Alfred thayer mahan, the interest of america in sea power. You may copy it, give it away or reuse it under the terms of the project gutenberg license included with this ebook or online at. Influence of sea power upon history 16601783 abridged and influence of sea power upon the french revolution 17931812 excerpts. In this book he argued for the paramount importance of sea power in national historical supremacy. Mahan this ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. Dec 30, 2014 with regard to mahans elements of sea power, china is situated in the heart of eastcentral asia and has a lengthy seacoast, a huge population, a growing economy, growing military and naval. Alfred thayer mahan, the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 boston. He now pronounces sea power evangelist alfred thayer.
In 1890, captain alfred thayer mahan, a lecturer in naval history and the president of the united states naval war college, published the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783, a revolutionary analysis of the importance of naval power as a factor in the rise of the british empire. For its time it was a tremendous success and extremely influential for most all large navies. Evidence for this assumption is found in the reactions of mahans readers, in their correspondence to him or about him. 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. Pdf mahan on naval strategy download full pdf book. Their studies occurred against the backdrop of military analysis by such theorists as jomini and clausewitz, and, in mahans case, the writings on war. As president of the college he began writing books and articles extolling the value of sea power as a key to national greatness. He now pronounces seapower evangelist alfred thayer.
Having therefore no foreign establishments, either colonial or military, the ships of war of the united states, in war, will be like land birds, unable to fly far from their own shores. The influence of sea power upon history wikisource, the. This is one of those unknown enormously influential books in history. The interesting and significant feature of this changing attitude is the turning of the eyes outward, instead of inward only, to seek the welfare of the country. He graduated from the naval academy in 1859 and embarked on a nearly 40year naval career seeing duty in the south atlantic and gulf of mexico against the confederacy.
He died in washington, dc on 1 december 1914, and is buried at quogue, long island. Alfred thayer mahan was influential in helping to buildup naval defenses before world war i. The influence of mahan upon chinas maritime strategy. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 work by. Air force colonel, reported undergoing a cometomahan moment.
Excerpts from the influence of sea power upon history, 1660. Mahan was assigned some of the blame for the naval race before. Alfred thayer mahan has 97 books on goodreads with 4967 ratings. In 1890, mahan published his book, the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783. The geopolitical vision of alfred thayer mahan the diplomat.
Books by alfred thayer mahan author of the influence of sea. Publication date 1905 usage public domain topics united states. Alfred thayer mahan on sea power, 1890 to turn now from the particular lessons drawn from the history of the past to the general question of the influence of government upon the sea career of its people, it is seen that that influence can work in two distinct but closely related ways. Alfred thayer mahan encyclopedia article citizendium. In many cases this commentary drew on the writings of an american naval theorist, alfred thayer mahan. Nov 04, 2017 alfred thayer mahan, a maritime historian, examines the united states relationship with naval forces in the past, and attempts to forecast the countrys future as a naval power. Alfred thayer mahan was born on september 27, 1840 at west point, new york, where his father was a professor of civil and military engineering at the u. Sea power in its relations to the war of 1812 by mahan, a. While teaching there, mahan wrote extensively on the role of powerful navies in world history, and he called special attention to englands incredible success as a sea power.
Suzanne geisslers god and sea power is a delightful, wellresearched, and fascinating book. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 alfred. This edition includes major parts of two books by renowned naval historian alfred thayer mahan, along with an introduction by antony preston. With an 1890 book called the influence of sea power upon history, alfred thayer mahan had a profound and far. Mahan, the inuence of sea power upon history, 16601783 boston. The naval officer in question is alfred thayer mahan 18401914 who, in 1890, published the results of his extensive study of history, the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783. Navy, seapower, united states history war of 1812, united states history war of 1812 naval operations publisher boston little, brown. Mahan s thesis that for an nation to be great it had to be a sea power was immensely influential in the growth of the german navy prior to world war 1 and the expansion of the us into overseas areas in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Alfred thayer s mahan s the influence of sea power upon history was a twovolume work that argued that sea power was the key to military and economic expansion. Mahan came to the conclusion that the one who owns the sea possesses all mahan a.
Aug 15, 2012 airsea battle came to my office last week when one of my colleagues, a u. In 1890, captain alfred thayer mahan, a lecturer in naval history and the president of the united states naval war college, published the influence of sea power. One vital aspect of his life, however, has been ignored or misunderstood by. Excerpts from alfred thayer mahans the interest of. It is said that it sold more copies on military theory than all of its predecessors including clausewitz combined. The government by its policy can favor the natural growth of a peoples industries and its tendencies to seek adventure and gain by way of the sea. In 1890, captain alfred thayer mahan, a lecturer in naval history and the president of the united states naval war college, published the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783, a revolutionary analysis of the importance of naval power as a factor in the rise of the british. The interest of america in sea power, present and future.
His concept of sea power was based on the idea that countries with greater naval power will have greater worldwide impact. Alfred thayer mahan, the interest of america in sea power 1897. Our leaders challenge convention, and our engineers respond with innovative solutions both in the shop and on the water. Mahan defines security in terms of sea power mahan, alfred thayer 1897. Excerpted from the influence of sea power upon history on wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Excerpts from the influence of sea power upon history. By the end of the 1890s, the united states had embarked on its journey as an imperial power.
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