Final answer:
Alfred T. Mahan, a naval theorist, argued for a strong navy as vital for national prosperity and championed the expansion of the US naval fleet, leading to America becoming the third-largest naval power by the 1890s. His ideas influenced US imperialistic foreign policy and contributed to a global naval arms race.
Step-by-step explanation:
Alfred T. Mahan's Advocacy and Impact Alfred T. Mahan was a naval theorist and historian who profoundly influenced maritime strategy and the concept of national power. In his seminal work, The Influence of Sea Power upon History, 1660-1783, published in 1890, Mahan made the case that a strong navy was critical to a nation's economic prosperity and security. He advocated for a grand strategy that included the development of a modern and powerful naval fleet, establishment of strategic naval bases, control of key maritime checkpoints, and the acquisition of coaling stations and territories such as Hawaii.
Mahan's ideas resonated with national leaders like Theodore Roosevelt and were instrumental in guiding US policy towards expanding its naval strength and pursuing an imperialistic foreign policy. This resulted in the significant growth of the American navy, as reflected by the Naval Act of 1890, which contributed to the modernization of the fleet and America's rise to the position of the third-largest naval power by the end of the 1890s. His recommendations also led to actions such as the annexation of Hawaii, the securing of the Philippines, and the push for the construction of the Panama Canal.
Ultimately, Mahan's influence extended beyond the United States, sparking a naval arms race among global powers that would have long-standing geopolitical implications, including the buildup of naval forces prior to both World Wars.