Why did Alfred Thayer Mahan believe command of the sea was important?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

strategy Detail of the Bayeux Tapestry depicting an English soldier in combat with Norman cavalry during the Battle of Hastings, wool on linen, 11th-century; in the Bayeux Tapestry Museum, France.

Alfred Thayer Mahan, a prominent American naval officer and historian, argued that command of the sea was the decisive factor in achieving national historical supremacy.1

In his influential work, The Influence of Sea Power upon History, 1660–1783, Mahan emphasized that sea power was paramount to a nation's strength. He specifically asserted that the control of seaborne commerce is fundamentally linked to military success, noting that the ability to regulate or restrict trade at sea can ultimately determine the outcome of wars. By highlighting the interdependence of military and commercial control, Mahan sought to convince nations—including the United States—that maintaining a powerful navy was a critical maritime responsibility necessary for global influence and security.1