How did Alfred Thayer Mahan's writings influence world leaders?

Alfred Thayer Mahan, a naval officer and president of the U.S. Naval War College, became one of the most influential strategists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His seminal work, The Influence of Sea Power upon History, 1660–1783, argued that national supremacy and historical greatness were fundamentally tied to a nation's ability to control the seas and protect its commercial interests.123

His writings profoundly shaped the global policies of several world leaders:

• Theodore Roosevelt and Henry Cabot Lodge: Mahan’s theories were instrumental in guiding these American leaders toward a policy of naval expansion, which included the acquisition of overseas territories like Hawaii to secure essential coaling stations for the U.S. Navy.23
• Wilhelm II: The German Emperor and other European leaders were avid readers of Mahan’s work. His arguments regarding the interdependence of military and commercial sea control directly influenced the naval arms race and the buildup of naval forces in Germany and Great Britain in the years preceding World War I.123

By emphasizing that control of seaborne commerce could determine the outcome of wars, Mahan’s doctrine provided a strategic framework that encouraged major powers to pursue imperial ambitions and modernize their fleets.13