Final answer:
Alfred Thayer Mahan believed in the paramount importance of naval power in securing a nation's prosperity and dominance, advocating for a strong navy, a substantial merchant fleet, and the acquisition of strategic bases and colonies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Alfred Thayer Mahan, a prominent naval theorist and historian, believed that naval power was a crucial factor in a nation's ability to secure prosperity and exert dominance on a global scale. His seminal work, The Influence of Sea Power upon History, underscores the importance of a mighty naval force for national greatness, emphasizing the need for a substantial industrial economy, a substantial merchant fleet, and a powerful navy to protect these assets. Additionally, Mahan advocated for the acquisition of strategic naval bases and colonies that could offer essential raw materials and act as foreign markets for American products.
Mahan's key belief was that to compete in the struggle among nations—a concept he likened to 'survival of the fittest'—a country must invest in its naval capabilities. His proposals, such as the construction of a modern fleet and the establishment of coaling stations for refueling across the world, were swiftly adopted by the U.S. government, significantly influencing American foreign policy and the expansion of its empire.