Navy
During the Civil War the size of the United States Navy jumped from about twenty to thirty ships to a few hundred. This massive increase in size signified the height of U.S. Naval power, but to many people's dismay, after the Civil War the government began to disband the ships. Later only a few ships were still armed and fit for battle because of lack of definite interest in a strong navy. Moreover the Naval Department was hurt by political corruption. The Grant era following the Civil War was notorious for its corruption and it helped bring a tainted image to the navy. Ensuing were long political battles over funding situations and the status of the navy, and influential officers were dragged into petty arguments over a struggle for power. This was a grave time for the U.S. Navy and as the U. S. Naval presence declined, the waters began to fill with flags of the enemy, and this in turn left a question of the future of the United States' role in the seas. This also gave Alfred Thayer Mahan a great opportunity to present his concepts of a modern navy and the navy's importance in the world politics and commerce. Many people believe Mahan wrote his books primarily to preserve open lanes for trading commerce, and to make the seas safe
Mahan sought to promote American interest in an idea that his era is known for: Expansionism. No country could ever become an influential actor in world affairs without a strong sea base. Mahan wrote in order to preserve America's role in world politics and to secure the rapidly expanding American markets. Control of the region not only would ensure stability and control of a vital region, but it would also unsure open trading lanes in the region. No matter how unpopular his book may have been at home it was immensely popular abroad. The ideas of manifest destiny and insular imperialism in the late 19th century were based solely in the nation's sea power. This stated that no country could hold, purchase, or obtain and military installations or naval bases in Latin America. Since the development of the ironclads, warfare had significantly and therefore old strategies would not work. The Japanese Navy was making huge advancements and Russian weapon technology was becoming a threat in addition of the shifting balance of powers within Europe and Asia. Every country, including France, England, Russia, and Germany marveled at his concepts for they probably also saw the navy as a symbol of power and status for a country. Mahan had also gained congressional support from Senator Henry Cabot Lo dge, who in support of Mahan added the Lodge Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine.
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Acceptance Essays
