Mahan

Alfred Thayer Mahan

Alfred Thayer Mahan (September 27, 1840 - December 1, 1914). Mahan's thoughts were deeply influenced by the commander-in-chief of Athens Navy and politician Pericles. His main works include the influence of sea power on history, the influence of sea power on French Revolution and Empire, 1793-1812, the relationship between the influence of sea power and the war of 1812, and naval strategy.

Life

Mahan was born in the professor building of West Point on September 27, 1840. His father Mahan became the youngest professor at West Point when he was 28 years old. He named his son Sayer in memory of headmaster Sayer who had made important contributions to west point.

Mahan entered Columbia College in New York in 1854. Although Mahan Sr. was the principal of the US Army Academy, Mahan went against his father's will and transferred to the third grade of the Annapolis naval academy two years later.

Mahan entered Annapolis Naval School in 1856, graduated with the second excellent result in 1859 and served in the Navy. He once served as a gunboat captain.

In 1885, he was a professor of the U.S. Naval Academy, teaching naval history and strategy, and began his writing career.

During 1886-1889, 1892-1893, Mahan served as the president of the Naval Academy twice. During his tenure, Mahan put his military thoughts into teaching, integrated the previous scattered ship tactics into the fleet tactics system, and personally taught the students and made models. He was honored by the cadets as romini in the Navy.

Mahan retired in 1896, but he continued to study and write related works on sea power.

He served as commander of the Spanish American war in 1898.

In 1899, the first peace conference in the Hague was attended as an adviser to the US delegation and a member of the US Naval Operations Committee, resolutely opposing disarmament.

From 1902 to 1903, Mahan was elected president of the American historical society.

In 1906, the U.S. Congress passed a bill to promote all the naval colonels who had served in the civil war to reserve Major General. Although Mahan accepted the honor, he still retained his class of colonels in his works.

In 1908, he became chairman of the US naval affairs committee.

In 1911, he published the theory of naval strategy.

On December 1, 1914, he died of a heart attack in Washington naval hospital at the age of 74.

On sea power

summary

Mahan believes that sea power is the most important to a country's power. The main sea routes can bring a lot of commercial benefits, so there must be a strong fleet to ensure the control of the sea, and enough merchant ships and ports to take advantage of this benefit. Mahan also stressed the value of maritime military security, believing that the sea can protect countries from fighting at home, and the influence of sea power on war is greater than that of the army. He advocated that the United States should establish a strong ocean fleet, control the waters near the Caribbean Sea and the isthmus of Central America, further control other oceans, and further use the maritime interests of Southeast Asia and China together with other powers.

Mahan's theory of sea power has a great influence on the policies of governments in the future. American President Theodore Roosevelt's "great stick policy" in controlling Central America is based on Mahan's theory. Until the end of the cold war, the US deployment in the Asia Pacific region was based on Mahan theory. Mahan also put forward relevant strategies, mainly taking Britain as an example to discuss the influence of six basic factors such as geography, population and government policy on sea power

·Location:

The ideal location is a central island, close to the main trade routes, with good ports and naval bases. For example, the distance between the British Isles and the European continent is not far or close enough to enable Britain to obtain considerable security against the invasion of foreign enemies, and it is also convenient to attack the enemy, in other words, advance can attack, retreat can defend.

Britain is separated from the European continent by the English Channel. It not only has water as a barrier, but also is close to the European continent. Therefore, Britain does not need to maintain a large army. Instead, it can gather China's strength to develop sea power, block the ports of the European continent with its superior Navy, and control the routes to and from the northern part of Europe. In sharp contrast to Britain, France not only has to maintain its army, but also has to separate its navy from the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Therefore, France is at a disadvantage to Britain in the competition for sea power.

·Physical geography:

It has a long coastline and a good port. The coastline can determine the degree of difficulty in developing to the sea. A good harbor represents the inherent potential of developing to the sea. The fertility of the land affects the people's will and demand for living on the sea. The coastline of a country is a part of its boundary. If the boundary of a country is easy to contact with the outside world, its people will be more likely to develop outward and intersect with the outside world.

Flat terrain and fertile land may make people move back to their homes and unwilling to join the sea, such as France. On the contrary, it forces the people to live on the sea, such as the Netherlands and Portugal. Island countries and Peninsula countries are limited by the terrain. If they want to work hard, they must pay attention to the development of sea power.

·National territory size range:

Mahan believed that the size of the territory must be matched with population, resources and other factors of power. The proportion of the total population of a country to the total length of its coastline is of great importance. Otherwise, the vast territory may become a weakness instead. For example, countries with too large area and disproportionate population and resources have low defense density and high risk. If they are cut apart by rivers or ports, it will be a major weakness. Take the South during the American Civil War as an example. In terms of the proportion of population and resources, its area is too large, especially with too long coastline and too many inland waterways, so the troops are easily divided and lead to failure. The size of the territory should be combined with population, resources and other factors. The vast territory, sparse population, excessively long coastline and numerous inland waterways sometimes become weaknesses, such as the southern territory during the American Civil War.

·Population size:

The number and quality of the population is an important basis for the sea power. The sea power countries should not only have a considerable number of people engaged in maritime undertakings, but also have a high proportion of people who directly participate in marine life. The country's peacetime navigation (including shipping and trade) is enough to determine its navy's endurance in war. Britain is a typical example. It is not only a maritime country, but also a shipbuilding and trading country. It has the necessary human and technical resources to develop sea power. Countries that want to develop towards the ocean should not only have a considerable number of people, but also a considerable proportion of them who directly or indirectly participate in ocean activities.

·Nationality:

Facing the sea, he has the character of risk-taking and trouble making, which promotes the development of business opportunities and shipping. The psychological factors of the people's willingness to trade on the sea and the navigation production capacity are also very important. If the people are proud to seek wealth from the sea, the cause of navigation will naturally flourish. The combination of maritime commerce and Navy, together with the development of colonies, eventually made Britain the sea power overlord. It is mainly the desire for trade (mercantilism) and production capacity; with this psychological basis, people will go to the sea to seek wealth.

·The nature and policies of the government:

The strategic position of the government influences the use of naval force, and the government must be wise and resolute in order to make long-term development of sea power. This is the main reason for Britain's success. Since James I, British national policy has always been to pursue overseas colonies, maritime trade and naval superiority. If the government is wise and resolute and cultivates its people's interest in the sea, the development of sea power will naturally be easier to succeed.

Mahan believes that Britain's achievements are unprecedented maritime power. In addition to the advantages of the above basic conditions, the proper operation of its government's maritime power is the key. In terms of the operation of sea power, Mahan believes that if Britain does not have the ability of maritime trade, vast colonies (resources, bases and markets), and well-trained seafarers and ships, Britain will be powerless even though it has inherent advantages. Especially in the use of war tools, that is, in the fight for sea power, Britain usually takes destroying the enemy fleet at sea or establishing blockades against the enemy ports as its priority Consistent guidance is the most important factor. On the contrary, France is keen on the conquest of territory rather than the destruction of the British fleet, so the result is totally different.

Chinese PinYin : Ma Han