Alfred Thayer Mahan

Alfred Thayer Mahan (1840-1914) was a United States Navy officer and historian who is considered to be one of the most influential naval strategists of all time. He was born in West Point, New York, and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1859. He served in the Civil War and then went on to have a long and distinguished career in the Navy.

What were his principles?

Mahan believed that sea power was essential to national security and prosperity. He argued that a strong navy was necessary to control the seas, which would allow a nation to protect its commerce and project its power around the world. He also believed that a navy should be organized into a fleet of battleships, which would be able to defeat any enemy fleet in a decisive battle.

What was he famous for?

Mahan is best known for his book The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, 1660-1783, which was published in 1890. This book had a profound impact on naval thinking around the world, and it helped to shape the development of the United States Navy into a global power.

What were his notable works?

In addition to The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, 1660-1783, Mahan also wrote a number of other important books and articles on naval strategy. These include:

• The Influence of Sea Power Upon the French Revolution and Empire, 1793-1812 (1892)
• Life of Nelson: The Embodiment of the Sea Power of Great Britain (1897)
• The Interest of America in Sea Power, Present and Future (1897)
• Lessons of the Russo-Japanese War (1911)

What was his philosophy?

Mahan's philosophy of naval strategy was based on the following principles:

• Sea power is essential to national security and prosperity.
• A strong navy is necessary to control the seas.
• A navy should be organized into a fleet of battleships.
• A navy should be able to fight a decisive battle and defeat any enemy fleet.

When did he die and how is he remembered?

Mahan died on December 1, 1914, at the age of 74. He is remembered as one of the most influential naval strategists of all time. His work helped to shape the development of the United States Navy into a global power, and his ideas continue to be studied and debated by naval strategists today.

Anything interesting to know about the author?

Mahan was a brilliant and complex man. He was a devout Christian and a strong believer in the importance of duty and honor. He was also a passionate advocate for the United States Navy and the role of sea power in American foreign policy.

Mahan's life and work were shaped by the Civil War. He served in the war as a young officer, and he was deeply impressed by the importance of naval power in the Union victory. After the war, he devoted himself to studying naval history and developing his theories of naval strategy.

Mahan's work was highly influential in the United States and abroad. His ideas were adopted by the US Navy, and they played a role in the development of the American Empire at the turn of the 20th century. Mahan's work was also studied by naval strategists in other countries, including Japan and Germany.

Mahan was a controversial figure in his own time, and his work is still debated today. However, there is no doubt that he was one of the most influential naval strategists of all time. His ideas continue to shape the way that navies are organized and used around the world.

Conclusion

Alfred Thayer Mahan was a brilliant and influential naval strategist who helped to shape the development of the United States Navy into a global power. His work is still studied and debated today, and his ideas continue to influence the way that navies are organized and used around the world.