Final answer:
The U.S. Navy was formed due to a. economic challenges needing secure foreign markets, the threat of piracy to commerce, naval technological advancements as advocated by Alfred Mahan, and demands of the postal service for secure international mail routes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Formation of the U.S. Navy
The conditions that led to the formation of the U.S. Navy include a range of a. economic challenges, threats from pirates, and the need for technological advancements and postal service demands.
Economic challenges played a significant role; industrialists pushed for a modern navy to secure foreign markets, especially as the U.S. needed new markets to avoid economic downturns, as argued by figures like Senator Henry Cabot Lodge.
Piracy posed a threat to American commerce, necessitating a force to protect merchant ships and trade routes. Technological advancements also influenced the navy’s formation.
Influenced by Naval theorist Alfred Thayer Mahan's principles, the U.S. understood the necessity of a powerful naval force for commerce and international influence.
Mahan suggested that the navy should have faster battleships and acquire global refueling stations to maintain naval dominance.
The implementation of these ideas was seen in the U.S. Navy's expansion and modernization leading up to and during the Spanish-American War, which helped cement America’s global presence.
Lastly, as America's borders expanded, the postal service needed secure delivery routes for mail carried by ship. This demand contributed to the naval buildup as the U.S. required safe and reliable means of transporting mail internationally, reinforcing the need for a powerful and far-reaching Navy.