Building a Modern Navy (C) Nena Bossellar

             The desire for a larger and more modern navy formed when the United States got assertive in foreign affairs. The imperialism and Anglo-Saxons got supported as well as their request in defending their interests overseas. Captain Alfred Mahan published the book called, “The Influence of Sea Power.” The book was about the argument that the U.S. did not build up its navy and acquire bases overseas. The European nations would shut them out of foreign markets. Mahan pointed out that in the past, the British and Dutch people had built large fleets of merchant ships to trade with the world. So what he was saying was that the U.S. would need a large navy to protect their merchant ships and defend their right to trade with other countries. His book soon became a best seller and with that, he helped to build public support for the navy. Business leaders wanted new markets overseas and two powerful senators pushed for Captain Alfred’s interests. These ideas convinced congress to authorize the construction of a large modern navy.