In the late nineteenth century, proponents of Alfred Thayer Mahan's theory of sea power, such as Theodore Roosevelt, advocated for the establishment of a modern battle fleet known as the "New Navy." This movement aimed to transform the United States Navy into a formidable maritime force capable of projecting power globally. The objectives of this initiative were multifaceted, seeking to enhance national security, assert American influence abroad, and protect economic interests. However, the pursuit of this vision challenged traditional US naval practices dating back to the American Revolution, fundamentally altering the Navy's structure, strategy, and technology. This essay will explore the objectives and goals of the New Navy, analyze its departure from established …show more content…
First, it aimed to build a powerful battle-fleet capable of projecting American power globally, ensuring the nation's security, and protecting its interests overseas. This included the acquisition of modern warships equipped with advanced technologies such as steel armor, steam propulsion, and long-range guns. The New Navy aimed to establish strategic naval bases and secure access to coaling stations, enabling sustained operations across distant seas. It sought to promote international trade and commerce by safeguarding shipping routes and protecting American interests abroad. The New Navy represented a departure from traditional US naval practices rooted in the nation's revolutionary origins. Historically, the US Navy has primarily focused on coastal defense and commerce raiding, reflecting the nation's geographic isolation and limited maritime ambitions. However, the New Navy proponents argued for a more proactive and assertive naval strategy, emphasizing the importance of sea control and power projection. This shift challenged entrenched naval doctrines and caused significant changes in fleet composition, training, and organizational
The U.S. Navy nurtured into a challenging power in the years previous to World War II, with battleship construction being revived in 1937, commencing with the USS North Carolina . It was able to add to its fleets throughout the early years of the war when the US was still not involved, growing production of vessels both large and small. In a conflict that had a number of amphibious landings, naval superiority was important in both Europe and the Pacific. The mutual resource...
The United States believed that by using economic expansion method they could expand and explore their economy; their economy was dependent on foreign trade due of increasing agriculture and manufacturing exports. America paid money to Panama to get control of the Panama Canal. It begun in 1904 and completed in 1914. They did this because they needed strong power over the world to protect its trading interests and it also empowered America to expand its economy and military influence. US believed that control over sea was the answer to the world preemi...
The departure from previous expansionism (up to 1880) developed alongside the tremendous changes and amplifications of United States power (in government, economics, and military.) The growth in strength and size of the United States' navy gave the country many more opportunities to grow, explore, and expand both in size and money. The better range and build of ships allowed the U.S. to enter the far-east "trade and money" lands of the Philippines (eventually a territory) and China. Because of the huge production of agricultural goods and the need for outputs and markets for these goods, the United States needed to find other places for shipping, trading, buying, ...
The US desired a stronger Military which justifies American expansion. A reason the US wanted to expand was because they tried to increase the size and dominance of their navy. With a bigger navy, we would be able to continue expanding and guarantee the safety of our country . In order to have a strong defense, we needed bases
In addition to the sense of "catching up" with the other nations around the world. America also felt that they were more powerful than ever, with the addition of an improving navy, turning their attention to the seas for conquer. During the earlier attempts of expansion, America had virtually no navy, which made oversea conquest out of their reach, leaving them only the surrounding areas for taking.
Evans, David; Peattie, Mark R. (1997). Kaigun: Strategy, Tactics, and Technology in the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1887–1941. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-192-7.
On December 7th 1941, Japanese Planes and submarines attacked the United States Naval base at Pearl Harbor. This event singlehandedly brought the U.S from its then neutral stance in World War Two to a fighting member of the “Allied Powers.” Pearl Harbor was the first of a long series of confrontations between the U.S and the Japanese in an effort to gain control of the Pacific. Unlike the “War in Europe” the Pacific strategy was dominated by naval and aerial battles, with the occasional land-based “Island Hopping” Campaign. As such, one of the most important factors in the war in the pacific was Fleet Size, the more ships a country could send to war, the better. Pearl Harbor was the Japanese’s way of trying to deal with the massive U.S Pacific fleet. However, Pearl Harbor was not the turning point of the war. After December 7th the United States began work on numerous technological developments which would ultimately help them in one of the most important battles of WWII, the largest naval confrontation of the war, The Battle of Midway. The battle, which took place from June 4th to June 7th , 1942 is widely considered the turning point of the Pacific Theater (James & Wells). Through the Post-Pearl Harbor desire for “Revenge” and various technological advantages including code breaking and radar, the U.S were able to outsmart the Japanese at Midway and ultimately win the battle, eventually leading to a victory in the Pacific.
Congress set tariffs to protect local industries and economic independence. Along with manufacturing, the U.S. military also improved. The war persuaded Americans to focus more on a stronger defense, especially after the battles in Chesapeake (National Park Service, Star Spangled Banner). This resulted in defense strategies that formed the American military. Coastal defense and warship construction consumed American defense spending during the 1800s.
The United States Merchant Marines are complied of thousands of the best trained men and women of today to man naval or commercial ships. Merchant Marines have dated back even further then the United States Coast Guard. The Merchant Marines have had a huge impact on the United States Navy since they have been established. Merchant Marines have manned fleets of ships for the U.S. Navy which carry imports and export during peace time. Once wartime rolls around, they become naval auxiliary, to ship and deliver troops and war materials. The largest participation came from the United States Merchant Marines after the Merchant Marine Act of 1936. Due to the act of 1936, the controversial question is when the greatest impact of the Merchant Marines on the United States Navy was during World War 2 and Vietnam War. The merchant marines were called upon to active duty and they responded helping the United States Navy.
The departure from previous expansionism (up to 1880) developed alongside the tremendous changes and amplifications of United States power (in government, economics, and military.) The growth in strength and size of the United States navy gave the country many more opportunities to grow, explore, and expand both in size and money. The better range and build of ships allowed the U.S. to enter the Far East, lands of the Philippines and China, all to increase trade and to create an influx of commerce. Because of the huge production of agricultural goods and the need for outputs and markets for these goods, the United States needed to find other places for shipping, trading, buying, and selling, and these areas of interest were just the place. The idea of Manifest Destiny and placing faith in God also allowed the United States to expand farther out into what once were unattainable lands. Document C, written by Mahan the naval writer, explains the three necessary obligations of sea power, as well as expressing the extreme importance of the navy during late 1800’s expansionism. During this time period and before, it was believed that whoever retained control of the seas would maintain control over the lands. Additionally, the speech by Senator Albert Beveridge (Document E) further states the importance of the U.S. expanding into the Pacific Ocean (especially the Phillipines) and trading with eastern countries: “the pacific is the ocean of the commerce of the future...the power that rules the Pacific is the power that rules the world… forever be the American Republic.
On the fateful morning of December 7, 1941, Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor caught the American armed forces by surprise. The next day, Franklin Roosevelt set the public mood by describing the event as “a date which will live in infamy.” The American people demanded answers as to why the Pacific Fleet was so unprepared for the attack. Many were quick to blame a single institution such as the commanders at Pearl Harbor or even the Roosevelt administration; however, placing the blame on just one of these organizations would be inaccurate. The explanation for the inadequate defense of Pearl harbor includes a combination of American organizations, not just one person or organization alone.
Admiral Marc Andrew Mitscher, or “Pete”, was never interested in the Navy at a young age. It always seemed as though he would choose to do some type of outdoor work. However, after his father got him an appointment to the United States Naval Academy against all odds, he started on the path to become an officer. Being a Naval Academy graduate, he put his training to good use as he rose through the ranks of the US Navy. ADMIRAL MITSCHER’S INNOVATIONS ON THE USS LANGLEY HELPED TO FULLY INCORPORTAE AVIATION INTO THE NAVY AND ARE IN USE ON MODERN CARRIERS. AS A LEADER, HIS DECISIVENESS THROUGHOUT HIS COMMAND IN WORLD WAR II AND AFTERWARDS PROVED HIM TO BE ONE OF THE NAVY’S BEST OFFICERS.
Lavery, Brian (1983) The Ship of the Line, Volume 1: The Development of the Battlefleet, 1650–1850. Annapolis, Md.: Naval Institute Press.
A new fleet design was created that centered on carrier task forces. By the end of the war, it became clear that the innovation of the naval officers resulted in the creation of a modern, combined arms fleet. What is amazing is that before 1944, there were barely enough carrier aircraft available for naval officers to become proficient at planning air tactics.
In the year 2000, the American submarine force will celebrate the first century of service by highly skilled people in some of the most technologically advanced vessels ever built. The past 100 years have witnessed the evolution of a force that mastered submersible warfare, introduced nuclear propulsion to create the true submarine, and for decades patrolled the deep ocean front line; the hottest part of an otherwise Cold War.