The Sea Power Theory

PRESENTED BY:
NISAR AHMED BHUTTO
 Biography of Alfred Thayer Mahan
• Born in 1840, in West Point, New York
• Studied at Columbia for two years
• Graduated from the Naval Academy in 1859
• Served as an officer in the Civil War
• Mahan studied 17th - 19th century European naval
conflicts
• The Influence of Sea Power Upon History
(He argued that England's economic and political supremacy came from
control of the seas)
Sea Power Theory
 Control of the sea is key to a nation’s political,
economic, and military interests
 Sea power involves:
 Naval power
 Ocean commerce
 Ocean industry
 Large population
 Why is sea power important?

Four fact make sea power important:

1. Over 70 per cent of the world’s surface is covered
by ocean.
2. Over 90 per cent of international trade, when measured
in weight and volume, travels by water.
3. The majority of the world’s major cities and urban
population lie within 200 kilometres of a coastline.
4. international law provide for ‘for freedom of the seas’.
• “Whosoever commands the sea commands
the trade; whoever commands trade of the
world commands the riches of the world, and
consequently the world itself.” –Sir Walter
Ralegh, 1616.
Alferd Thayer Mahan
Principle natural
resources
and climate

extent of
Technology
territory

Sea
Power of
character of Nations geographic
the people position

character of
population the
government
 Alfred believed that national greatness has to do with the
control of the sea. He used the history of past naval wars to
back up and support this theory. He stated that taking
command of the sea is the big advantage and in order to,
you have to get rid of or take control of your enemy ships.
 Alfred Thayer Mahan famously stated:
“Control of the sea by maritime commerce and naval supremacy
means predominant influence in the world
The Influence of Sea Power upon History
1660-1783
 Impact
 -Based on Mahan’s compelling style and important theory he received the
acceptance of navalists and other people found throughout the world; including
supporters of the New Imperialism in Africa and Asia.

 -Mahan’s focus on the sea was at an ideal time, when many technological
advances were made. These advances included those on propulsion, ordnance,
armor, and new ship craft. These all played a large role in different countries sea
power and stance.
18th-19th century Great Britain
 Overseas Commerce
East India Company dominated trade with India, China, and
South-East Asia
Colonial exports accounted for much of Great Britain’s
wealth
 Navy

The Royal Navy was the most powerful Navy in the world
until surpassed by the United States during World War II
 Industry

Population boom as a result of the industrial revolution

Ability to build a large fleet
 Significance

 Theodore Roosevelt counted Alfred Thayer Mahan as a

close friend and advisor

 Kaiser Wilhem II ordered Mahan’s books to be

translated and stocked on board his navy’s ships.
 From Alfred’s studies of naval warfare he drew
principles of strategy that greatly influenced the
development and employment of naval forces during the
first half of the twentieth century.
Conclusion
 A.T. Mahan’s three requirements
 Production , Shipping , Colonies deemed necessary for the success of a nation,
 And six principal conditions
 Geographical position, Physical Conformation, Extent of Territory, Number
of Population, Character of the People, and Character of the Government
that affected sea power were valid requirements for national power in the late 19th
century, were valid requirements for national power in the 21st century, and
somehow today also,
 The current position of the United States as the sole global super power is the
direct result of adherence to his principles, and adherence to these principles is
necessary for the United States to maintain and increase its global dominance.