American History Since 1877: Describe Alfred T. Mahan's Impact - Essay Example

Additionally, it had to maintain specified territories to act as the supply bases for the warships (Beisner, 2003). Lastly, he upheld the view that the country needed to maintain a stream of colonies along the seas and coastlines, which will serve as the base for supply and controlling the seaborne trade, through effecting monopoly by causing blockades that hinder other nations from gaining access to trade and supplies. These thoughts as advanced by Mahan had a great impact on the American strategy in the naval wars, as evidenced by the First World War, which applied most of the strategies that were advocated by Mahan (Mahan and Westcott, 1999).

The same principles has been borrowed by the naval strategies to present day, as evidenced by the American effort to build on sea power supremacy through building and advancing their warships. His strategic thinking influenced the way the American army was organized, both in the 19th century and even in present day. Mahan argued that the best strategic organization of the army is to have different branches of the military held independent, with the navy being treated as an independent body from the military (Mahan, 2010).

In his argument, Mahan held that the navy was instrumental not only in enhancing the war supremacy of a country, but also in reinforcing its economic stability through the control of seaborne commerce (Beisner, 2003). In support of his argument, he argued that the navy is the only branch of the military, suited to execute both battle and economic empowerment functions, compared to the army and the air force. He also advocated for the organization of battleships in fleets, to enhance their ability to cause blockades and immense warfare (Mahan, 2010). These. This essay discusses the notable contribution of the Alfred T.

Mahan to the way of thinking is not majorly in history, but in naval supremacy. Having served in the American Civil War, and having been involved in the Naval College, both as a professor and later the president, he had a deep understanding of the naval operations and how they can impact the world. Therefore, he advanced the school of thought that a country can derive its supremacy from advancing and maintaining a powerful navy. The researcher states that his first major observation on the nature of international relations and conflicts, made him conclude that diplomacy was not a way out to advancing sovereignty and respectable relations between countries.

Therefore, he held that diplomacy can only succeed after the war between nations is ended. According to him, it is only the navy that had the capacity to distinguish the war superiority of nations. In his view, naval supremacy was capable of controlling sea commerce, through administering blockades, which would undermine the ability of the protagonists, due to lack of supplies. These strategies, as advocated by Alfred T. Mahan became part of the naval organization and strategy during the pre and post World War I periods.

Therefore, it is concluded that Alfred T. Mahan's impact on American strategic thinking is great and on top of advocating for naval supremacy, Mahan also asserted the importance of technology in enhancing supremacy of nations, through the well-armored battle ships.