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's second foreign policy objective was to gain control of the Pacific. Not only was Asia a great opportunity for markets and an expansion of American trade, but Mahan also believed the U.S. was needed as a mediator in the region. With massive conflict occurring in the Philippines, growing tensions between China and Japan, and the competition with Germany, England, and the rest of Europe claiming land it was imperative that the U.S. Maintain presence in the area. 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. Thus at this time it was of great importance for the United States to establish naval bases in the Pacific in order to secure trade routes and to expand into necessary markets. Mahan called for U.S. control over several islands in the Pacific, specifically the Hawaiian Islands. He apparently foresaw a future conflict over the islands involving Japan and expansionist China, and concluded it would be the best for the United States to mediate conflict and control the islands. Therefore in what was perceived to be employing economic safeguards, Mahan exhibited an idea of expansionism the included U.S. occupation in several areas of the Pacific and a dominant U.S. role. for conducting business. Although this may have been one of his motives, Mahan's motives were part of a much broader movement and universal. Mahan sought to promote American interest in an idea that his era is known for: Expansionism. Alfred Thayer Mahan wrot
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Approximate Word count = 1056
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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