The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, 1660–1783

Little, Brown, and company

1890

557 p.

Today, war is more complicated than it has ever been. When considering military strategy, a commander must be aware of several theaters of war. There's ground strength, air power, naval combat and even cyber warfare. In the late 19th century, however, the true military might of a nation rested primarily on the strength of its navy. In 1890, United States Navy Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan published a book titled "The Influence of Sea Power Upon History." The monumental text addressed the importance of both military and commercial fleets in the success of a nation in war and peacetime. Mahan begins with a discussion of the elements he considers to be the key to a nation's success on the seas. He theorizes that a ground force could not sustain the pressure of a naval blockade. Mahan then applies his principles to wars of the past. He analyzes the use of a navy in various engagements and considers the resulting influence on the outcome of the wars. The book was readily accepted by commanders and tacticians all over the world and his principles and theories were utilized throughout the 20th century. His arguments, along with technological advances, were influential in the strengthening of the United States Navy. Presently, Mahan's work is considered the most important work on naval strategy in history.

Naval history; Sea-power

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