Final answer:
The U.S. Navy's victory in the Battle of Manila was due to Theodore Roosevelt's pre-war planning, strategic fleet positioning by Commodore Dewey, and superior military force, leading to a rapid defeat of the Spanish fleet and establishing American presence in the Pacific.
Step-by-step explanation:
How the United States Navy Won the Battle of Manila
The United States Navy was able to achieve a decisive victory in the Battle of Manila due to effective pre-war planning, strategic positioning, and superior military capability. Assistant Secretary of the Navy Theodore Roosevelt played a pivotal role by sending Commodore George Dewey's fleet to Hong Kong to refuel in anticipation of hostilities.
Once the Spanish-American War broke out, Dewey's fleet was ordered to liberate the Philippines from Spanish control. On May 1, 1898, Dewey's fleet surrounded and annihilated the Spanish ships anchored in Manila Bay with minimal American casualties. Dewey became a national hero, paving the way for a stronger American presence in the Pacific and aiding Mahan's vision of a modern U.S. Navy.
With well-prepared military strategies that extended beyond just the liberation of Cuba, the U.S. sought to achieve Alfred T. Mahan's vision for additional naval bases in the Pacific Ocean. This foresight in military strategy and the subsequent quick and overwhelming success in naval confrontations ensured the U.S. a powerful foothold in the region and contributed to the expansion of American influence in Asia.