The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 by at mahan. The project gutenberg ebook of the influence of sea power upon. Alfred thayer mahan was influential in helping to buildup naval defenses before world war i. Excerpts from the influence of sea power upon history. Books by alfred thayer mahan author of the influence of sea. Consider by scholars as the single most influential book in naval strategy, alfred thayer mahans the influence of sea power upon history. Alfred thayer mahan, a maritime historian, examines the united states relationship with naval forces in the past.
The tale of mahanism begins at west point, where alfred thayer mahan was born. His lectures at the college formed the basis for his two major works, the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783, published in 1890, and the influence of sea power upon the french revolution and empire, 17931812, published two years later. 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. Alfred thayer mahan, the interest of america in sea power 1897 alfred thayer mahan was a u. 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. Mahan was sent by the navy to found the united states naval war college in 1873. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783, he expanded upon them in many other books, articles and essays. Read the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 by mahan a. His book the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 1890 won immediate recognition, especially in europe, and with its successor, the influence of sea power upon. 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. He emphasized the importance of sea power and was inspirational in establishing navies around the world.
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. Its policies were quickly adopted by most major navies, ultimately leading to the world war i naval arms race. Excerpts from the influence of sea power upon history, 1660. 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. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601805 mahan, alfred thayer on. 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. Publication date 1905 usage public domain topics united states. 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. The project gutenberg ebook, the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783, by a. It details the role of sea power during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and discusses the various factors needed to support and achieve sea power, with emphasis on having the largest and most powerful fleet.
Captain alfred thayer mahan, usn, was the first person to use the term sea power. Young mahan spent his early years at west point, until he was sent to a boarding school in maryland, st. It is deeply biographical, concerning itself primarily with the mans christian life, albeit a christian life lived through a seagoing career and. The influence of seapower on defeat and victory had been neglected by historians, and captain mahan wrote this book in order to point out its high importance. While teaching there, mahan wrote extensively on the role of powerful navies in world history, and he called special attention to. Dec 30, 2014 the geopolitical vision of alfred thayer mahan. Organized force alone enables the quiet and the weak to go about their business and to sleep securely in their beds, safe from the violent without or within. He died in washington, dc on 1 december 1914, and is buried at quogue, long island.
Alfred thayer mahan quotes author of the influence of sea. The project gutenberg ebook of the influence of sea power. The influence of sea power upon history 16601783 by. Title, the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 alfred. Sea power and american interests in the western pacific. Mahan s scholarly effort, in preparation for a teaching assignment at the naval war. Alfred thayer mahan, the interest of america in sea power. Mahan influenced not only the development of the theory of naval art but also the development of foreign policy in many countries. Other articles where the interest of america in sea power, present and future is discussed. United states was forced to recognize that sea power and world involvement were crucial to national security.
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 18401914 influence of seapower upon history, the, an historical study by captain a. Alfred thayer mahan, published the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 in 1890. Alfred thayer mahan encyclopedia article citizendium. 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.
His concept of sea power was based on the idea that countries with greater naval power will have greater worldwide impact. In 1890, mahan published one of the most important books of the age, the influence of. Alfred thayer mahan, the interest of america in sea power 1897. Mahan s sea power thesis was tested and proven in combat. Mahan this ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. 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. 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. Alfred thayer mahan has 96 books on goodreads with 4915 ratings. The definite object proposed in this work is an examination of the general history of europe and america with particular reference to. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 by mahan a.
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. The influence of sea power upon history 16601783 by alfred. As president of the college he began writing books and articles extolling the value of sea power as a. Alfred thayer mahan sea power and cyber power both primarily exist to protect. Jan 05, 2016 suzanne geisslers god and sea power is a delightful, wellresearched, and fascinating book. 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 work. Mahan was concerned with sea power because it was considered to be the most significant element of national power at the time. 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. To such a length did she carry her audacity that she compelled the alfred, the headmost ship of sir samuel. He now pronounces sea power evangelist alfred thayer mahan the natural strategic theorist of air power.
In 1890, mahan published one of the most important books of the age, the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783. By the end of the 1890s, the united states had embarked on its journey as an imperial power. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 by alfred thayer mahan. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 by alfred thayer mahan, 1918, little, brown edition, 12th ed. 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. Mahan on naval warfare by alfred thayer mahan, 9780486407296, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. How influential was the influence of sea power upon history.
Pdf the influence of alfred thayer mahan upon the imperial. Naval strength involves, unquestionably, the possession of strategic points. We use cookies to give you the best possible experience. While perhaps not as well known as books like the communist manifesto or the republic, captain alfred thayer mahan s the influence of sea power upon history changed the course of. The interest of america in sea power, present and future mahan, a. 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. Mahans scholarly effort, in preparation for a teaching assignment at the naval war. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 12th. He now pronounces seapower evangelist alfred thayer mahan the natural strategic theorist of.
Mahan defines security in terms of sea power mahan, alfred thayer 1897. Mahan the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 a. Alfred thayer mahan stands out as one of the foremost thinkers on naval warfare and maritime strategy. 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. For its time it was a tremendous success and extremely influential for most all large navies. In 1890, captain alfred thayer ma han usn published the influence of. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 is an influential treatise on naval warfare written in 1890 by alfred thayer mahan.
In france we dont do as you, where a few people take a great many shares each. Books by alfred thayer mahan author of the influence of. 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. 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. Alfred thayer 18401914 free pdf d0wnl0ad, audio books, books to read, good books to read, cheap books, good books, online books, books. Sea power in its relations to the war of 1812 by mahan, a. The interest of america in sea power, present and future.
Navy, seapower, united states history war of 1812, united states history war of 1812 naval operations publisher boston little, brown. In the 21st century, there are other elements of national power that are considered to be of equal or greater importance than sea power. The influence of sea power upon history wikisource, the. He used it in his principal work, the influence of sea power upon. These opening quotations form the foundation of alfred. Thayer mahans most famous book, the influence of sea power upon. Excerpts from alfred thayer mahans the interest of. Mahans lecture notes become the basis for his book, the influence of sea power upon history, published in 1890. Alfred thayer mahan s the influence of sea power upon history was a huge success in both america and overseas. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 27 editions.
Excerpted from the influence of sea power upon history on wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. This is one of those unknown enormously influential books in history. History of sea power one of contest between nations, therefore largely military, 1. 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. Alfred thayer mahans most popular book is the influence of sea power upon history, 1660. Pdf assesses the japanese adoption of mahanian concepts of sea power and decisive battle to the development of the imperial navys warfighting. 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. View alfred thayer mahan research papers on academia. It details the role of sea power throughout history and discusses the various factors needed to support a strong navy. This excerpt is from alfred thayer mahans the influence of sea power upon history.
This excerpt is from alfred thayer mahans the influence. The geopolitical vision of alfred thayer mahan the diplomat. Alfred thayer mahans 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, 16601783 work by. Excerpts from alfred thayer mahans the interest of america in sea power. 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. Suzanne geisslers god and sea power is a delightful, wellresearched, and fascinating book. Evolving from his lectures at the naval war college in.
Excerpts from alfred thayer mahans the interest of america. His core argument was that sea power was the key to empirebuilding. To affirm the importance of distant markets, and the. Mahan s lecture notes become the basis for his book, the influence of sea power upon history, published in 1890. The united states looking outward navy captain alfred t. Mahan a history of naval warfare published in 1890 by alfred thayer mahan. Alfred thayer mahan s study of history led him to strongly believe that a nations sea power determined its economic wealth and international prominence. Alfred mahan, the founder of the north american school of geopolitics, had introduced into the scientific circle such concepts as domination at sea, sea power and had developed the concept of sea power of the state for the first time. It is said that it sold more copies on military theory than all of its predecessors including clausewitz combined. Mahan has often been criticized for his focus on sea power. Alfred thayer mahan 18401914, widely recognized as the father of seapower theory, held that a world power needs overseas access to raw materials and. 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. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 by.
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