Final answer:
In the early 20th century, naval technology developed rapidly with the introduction of ships like the HMS Dreadnought and the modernization of navies including the United States Navy, influenced by Alfred Mahan's theories. Advances like faster ships with greater firepower and radar contributed to naval dominance and strategic military advantages during periods of conflict.
Step-by-step explanation:
Naval technology during the early 20th century saw significant advancements, driven by the industrialization and strategic imperatives of global powers. The launch of Britain’s HMS Dreadnought in 1906 marked a milestone in naval architecture with its ten 12-inch guns, rotatable turrets, and steam-turbine propulsion leading to faster speeds. This period witnessed a naval arms race, where Germany attempted to keep pace with Britain but never matched the British numbers. The United States Navy also undertook a modernization program inspired by Alfred Mahan's influential theories on sea power, which included the production of faster battleships and the establishment of global refueling stations for operations.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, navies employed new classes of warships such as destroyers, torpedo boats, submarines, and battlecruisers, leveraging industrial technology for greater firepower and efficiency. Technological advancements, including the use of radar during World War II, also gave the Allies an upper hand against German U-Boats in the Battle of the Atlantic. The United States notably increased the size of its navy following Mahan’s advice, incorporating steel battleships and rising as a formidable naval power by the late 1890s.