Question

SEA POWER

• Read the excerpt from Alfred T. Mahan’s Influence of the Sea Power Upon Historyand answer the following questions:
•“The question is eminently one in which the influence of the government should make itself felt, to build up for the nation a navy which, if not capable of reaching distant countries, shall at least be able to keep clear the chief approaches to its own. The eyes of the country have for a quarter of a century been turned from the sea; the results of such a policy and of its opposite will be shown in the instance of France and of England. The enemy must be kept not only out of our ports, but far away from our coasts.”
• 1.What is Mahan arguing should be built up?
• 2.What does he mean by “the eyes of the country have for a quarter century been turned from the sea”?
• 3.Why does Mahan feel it is necessary to build up the US navy?
• 4.What does he argue that a nation shall “at least” be able to do?

Answer 1

1)The Navy

2)He means people have been more and more curious about the sea and want to explore it.

3)Because if enemies were to attack from sea we would have no protection.

4)Protect its people.