For in war . . . the common sense of some and the genius of others sees and properly applies means to ends; and naval strategy, like naval tactics, when boiled down, is simply the proper use of means to attain ends. But in peace, as in idleness, such matters drop out of mind, unless systematic provision is made for keeping them in view.
ALFRED THAYER MAHAN
1. Alfred Thayer Mahan (1840–1914) was an American naval officer, considered one of the most important naval strategists of the nineteenth century. In 1885 he was appointed Lecturer in Naval History and Tactics at the US Naval War College, and was appointed President of the institution between 1886–1889. During this period he published the highly influential volume, The Influence
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Between 1689 and 1815 the British (or initially the English allied with the Scots) fought seven wars against France. Their navies played an important, sometimes critical, role. The statesmen of the eighteenth century generally saw war not primarily as a contest of societies but more as a contest of economies, in which victory went to the strongest, not to the “best,” and in which the chief virtue was endurance. In all the Franco-British wars of the period, including the one Britain lost, the War of American Independence, the side that could put the most “ships of the line” to sea was …show more content…
As the battles between Britain and France was analysed by AT Mahan, he concluded that a decisive victory over an opponent, rare as it was, did effect the future. Amongst the battles fought by the British and France, the Battle of Nile and Trafalgar were the most decisive in their outcome. Up until the Battle of Nile, both Britain and France did face off against each other on numerous occasions. However, rather than being a one on one Fleet to Fleet battle, it was more of a battle between coalitions and no side gained a decisive victory. The battle of Nile was considered the first decisive victory that British navy achieved against the French navy. The victory gained by Lord Nelson at Aboukir Bay resulted in the collapse of Napoleon’s invasion of Egypt and the lifting of any threat to Britain’s hold on India. Further the battle of Trafalgar did prove that a decisive victory had strategic importance in that it crippled the enemy thereby allowing Britain to act with impunity. The victory at Trafalgar won Britain an unchallenged command of the sea, in quantity and quality, materially and psychologically, over all her actual and potential enemies, which lasted long after the age of Napoleon. The victory allowed 19th-century Britain to reduce the Navy well below its present size without running any serious risks. Beyond the fall of Napoleon, the achievement of Trafalgar was to settle Britain's security for a
In 1745, the French, Spanish and British Empires began competing over international trade networks and natural resources. Subsequently, each empire began maneuvers to maintain and expand possession of their territory in North America. In 1750, England and France each concluded that “Ohio country” the land west of the Appalachians was vital to their interests. (Davidson p.102) This battle of over Ohio country led the British and the French into the Seven Years’ War.
Alfred Thayer Mahan was an author and strategist for the United States Navy. He graduated the Naval Academy in 1859 and would go on to head the Newport Naval Academy. As an author, he wrote many influential books, including The Influence of Sea Power Upon History 1660-1783. In this book, Mahan explained that if a nation held “Sea Power”, or naval dominance, it would also have global dominance. In his analysis, Mahan theorized that growing industrial development would create excess goods for which new markets needed to be found. These markets would undoubtedly be in distant ports across large bodies of water and to ensure the safety of merchant ships a strong naval guardian and escort would be paramount (Divine 610).
This book contains a powerful dramatization of current Marine Corps doctrine, but it also holds a hidden vision for many Generals. There are lessons in training methodology, leadership, and ethics as well. Because of this, it has made Card’s book, an often read title for many years; Ender’s Game has been a stalwart item on the Marine Corps Reading List since its inception. Then Captain John Schmitt, author of Warfighting (a foundational book on Marine maneuver warfare doctrine) used it to teach. Schmitt said, "Winning wars depends on the quality of the people you put into battle. Start with smart people, train them in imaginative and challenging ways, and ensure you force decisionmaking authority down to the person with a superior awareness of the tactical situation." Ender’s Game was published at the same time Marines started reading The Maneuver Warfare Handbook. We have since institutionalized maneuver warfare into the Marine Corps. The challenge to every generation of Marines is to continue to live up to what Maneuver Warfare philosophy demands of
In the years leading up to the Seven Years War, there were already many skirmishes in the thirteen colonies between the British and the Native American tribes in the area.1 The first official year of fighting also led to many decisive defeats to the overextended British Empire. Many small battles for dominance between the British and the French also occurred along the Indian coast. In response to the acts of expansion by the French, the British decided to defend its own territory in North America and India.2 There were many battles scattered across the world, with significant naval battles in the Indian theatre and the Mediterranean. At first, the French won many decisive battles with the aid of its allies against the British Empire. Both countries however, were relatively equal in size and power at the time, but that would soon change. The British began to turn the tide as they made significant lead...
The Seven Years War, or more commonly referred to as “The French and Indian War”, has been called the true First World War. In this book The French and Indian War: Deciding the Fate of North America, the author and historian Walter R. Borneman paints a detailed and elaborate picture that justifies the claim of it being the first true war of global proportions. If ever there truly was a climax to the never ending feud of the European powers that be, Borneman would like to suggest that it was The Seven Years War. Beginning roughly in 1754, the author leads us on a path of discovery that truly has no beginning and only a tentative and temporary end. The author describes in great detail the early agitations that both could have and did lead to all out war not only in Europe but throughout their global realms and reaches. Introductions are made to some of the greatest historical figures of that era and those to come, through the extensive work that the author engages in, in an attempt to grant the most detailed and comprehensive book about not only the Seven Years War, but the events that would both lead up to and follow as a result. A MUST read for any true student of history, Borneman goes further in his masterpiece by examining and explaining common misconceptions and theories that have arisen in regards to the period and war. The book truly shines however not simply in the breadth of knowledge that it provides, but also in the manner in which it does so. Borneman masterfully fits all of the many different parts of this book together in a manner that is easily understood. It is no easy feat to cover the sheer number of names, dates and events detailed in this book. Borneman manages to weave in and out of the different faction...
The Modern Era saw great change in naval technology and warfare. The period saw the creation of explosive shells, iron-clad ships, steam-powered vessels, and more. Dramatic advances like these created considerable shifts in global political and economic power.
The French and Indian War impacted the trans-Atlantic economic relationship between the motherland and her colonies. Before the war colonists were rushing to buy new British manufactured goods resulting from the early stages of the industrial revolution. To pay for these manufactured goods, colonists increased their export of raw materials for sale to Britain. Although the exports were able to pay for a significant portion of cost of British imports, a significant shortfall was covered by British loans. This economic relationship saturated much of pre-French and Indian War colonial America and became normal. After 1763, Britain was in dreadful need for revenue to pay for the French and Indian War. Britain was clever on finding ways to raise revenue from the colonies. From 1650 to the end of the French and Indian War was a period of "salutary neglect." Britain had very little involvement in the lifestyle of the colonies. After the French and Indian War, mercantilism became strictly enforced. Merc...
From 1754 to 1763, the French and Indian War took place. This war altered the political, economic, and ideological relations between Britain and its American colonies. It was the last of four North American wars waged from 1689 to 1763 between the British and the French. In these struggles, each country fought for control of the continent with the assistance of Native American and colonial allies. The French and Indian War occurred to end the land dispute between the British and French. Whoever won, in reality, gained an empire. It was a determined and eventually successful attempt by the British to get a dominant position in North America, the West Indies, and the subcontinent of India. Although Britain had won all this land, political, economic, and ideological relations between Britain and its American colonies were totally annihilated.
The American Revolution: A Global War is a work evaluating the political events and diplomatic history beginning in 1754 with the Seven Years' War/French and Indian War and continuing through the American Revolution and concluding with the Treaty of Paris in 1783. The authors informally take the position that many Americans believe that the American Revolution was an "entirely American conflict" in which the French gave tacit military support and that the conflict only occurred in America (p. vii). Thus, Dupuy, Hammerman and Hayes demonstrate to what extent European nations were directly involved politically, militarily, and economically in the American Revolution. They contend that the European powers were heavily involved in this conflict and support their argument with their discussion of the various political and diplomatic intrigues behind the scenes, as well as descriptions of battles across the globe and, finally, the very "international" nature of the American army with the insertion of supplies, men, and officers from Europe. In conclusion, the overall theme of the book is that the American Revolution was a continuation of the Seven Years' War, that the conflict involved actors on the international scene, and that battles occurred outside of the thirteen American states, thus making the American Revolution a global war.
The French and Indian war took place between 1754 and 1763. Here between these nine years would serve as the blue print to America’s history and future. “What began as a struggle over territorial rights between British colonist and French settlers became part of an international war between the great powers” (Schwartz, 1). To truly understand the French and Indian war, many must take a look into the past events that caused the dispute between the British and the French. During the year 1498, the British claims to the continent were based on the London Company and the sailing of the waters under the rule of King James I. This is where the British company in the latter half of the seventeenth century, under the crown established a reign or province, extending from seas to sea.
In the 1740's France and England both realized that war for power over North America was inevitable. Due to French's contribution to the fur trade and their hunt for the beaver and English's concern with their cash crops and their need for adequate harvesting land, military clashes between the two soon produced.
The French and Indian War, otherwise known as the Seven Years’ War was an imperial war conflict between Great Britain and the French. “The French
Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan's book of 1890, The Influence of Sea Power upon History, 1660-1783, argued that control of the sea was the key to world dominance; it stimulated the naval race among the great powers.
The French and Indian War, a continuation of the Seven Years War that ransacked Europe from 1756 to 1763, had turned out to be the bloodiest and one of the most destructive American wars in the 18th century. Taking more lives than the American Revolution, it cosisted of people living on three continents, including the Caribbean islands. The war was a product of an imperial skirmish, between the French and English over colonial territory and wealth. Within these world powers, the French and Indian War can also be apprised of as an aftermath of the localized rivalry between British and French colonists.
During the late 1600s and the to the mid-1700s, countries fought for land and power in order to have global domination. While several countries fought for the same cause, resolving their differences was nearly impossible, and this often led to more wars and conflicts. One of the many conflicts concerned the domination of North America. While many European powers competed for control of North America, Britain gained the most territory through the four French and Indian wars, King William's War, Queen Anne's War, King George's War, and the French and Indian War. As these wars progressed, Britain achieved the most success and eventually became the most dominant power in North America.