Mahan on Naval Warfare

by Mahan, Alfred Thayer

• ISBN13: 9780486407296
• ISBN10: 0486407292
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-11-02
• Publisher: Dover Publications

Summary

Fascinating compendium of writings by one of the world's most influential experts on naval warfare. Over 40 articles cover naval principles, sea power in history and naval and national policies. Wide-ranging coverage of strategic positions, principles of naval administration, growth of British sea power, The Battle of Trafalgar, the moral aspect of war, motives for naval power, much else. 8 black-and-white maps and diagrams. Appendix. Index.

Table of Contents

Introduction	v
PART I NAVAL PRINCIPLES
The Value of Historical Study	3	(5)
``Theoretical'' versus ``Practical'' Training	8	(8)
A Historical Instance	8	(2)
What is Practical?	10	(6)
Elements of Sea Power	16	(33)
Definition of Terms: Strategy, Tactics, Logistics	49	(1)
Fundamental Principles	50	(18)
Central Position, Interior Lines, Communications	50	(10)
Concentration	60	(8)
Strategic Positions	68	(7)
Situation	69	(1)
Military Strength	70	(4)
Resources	74	(1)
Strategic Lines	75	(4)
Communications	75	(1)
Importance of Sea Communications	76	(3)
Offensive Operations	79	(8)
The Value of the Defensive	87	(4)
Commerce Destroying and Blockade	91	(9)
Command of the Sea Decisive	98	(2)
Strategic Features of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean	100	(13)
Principles of Naval Administration	113	(12)
Opposing Elements	113	(5)
The British System	118	(4)
The United States System	122	(3)
The Military Rule of Obedience	125	(3)
Preparedness for Naval War	128	(9)
PART II SEA POWER IN HISTORY
A Nation Exhausted by Isolation	137	(4)
France under Louis XIV	137	(4)
The Growth of British Sea Power	141	(6)
England after the Peace of Utrecht, 1715	141	(6)
Results of the Seven Years' War	147	(8)
Eighteenth Century Formalism in Naval Tactics	155	(4)
The New Tactics	159	(5)
Rodney and De Guichen, April 17, 1780	159	(5)
Sea Power in the American Revolution	164	(7)
Graves and De Grasse off the Chesapeake	164	(7)
The French Navy Demoralized by the Revolution	171	(4)
Howe's Victory of June 1, 1794	175	(9)
Nelson's Strategy at Copenhagen	184	(7)
England's First Line of Defense	191	(5)
The Battle of Trafalgar	196	(33)
``The Nelson Touch''	200	(8)
The Battle	208	(15)
Commerce Warfare after Trafalgar	223	(6)
General Strategy of the War of 1812	229	(12)
Results of the Northern Campaign	235	(6)
Lessons of the War With Spain	241	(9)
The Possibilities of a ``Fleet in Being''	241	(9)
The Santiago Blockade	250	(6)
``Fleet in Being'' and ``Fortress Fleet''	256	(20)
The Port Arthur Squadron in the Russo-Japanese War	256	(13)
Divided Forces	269	(7)
Rozhestvensky at Tsushima	276	(9)
PART III NAVAL AND NATIONAL POLICIES
Expansion and Over-Sea Bases	285	(3)
The Annexation of Hawaii	285	(3)
Application of the Monroe Doctrine	288	(8)
Anglo-American Community of Interests	288	(8)
Changes in the United States and Japan	296	(3)
Our Interests in the Pacific	299	(3)
The German State and Its Menace	302	(7)
The Bulwark of British Sea Power	306	(3)
Advantages of Insular Position	309	(8)
Great Britain and the Continental Powers	309	(8)
Bearing of Political Developments on Naval Policy and Strategy	317	(11)
Seizure of Private Property at Sea	328	(14)
The Moral Aspect of War	342	(6)
The Practical Aspect of War	348	(7)
Motives for Naval Power	355	(10)
APPENDIX
Chronological Outline	359	(1)
Academic Honors	360	(1)
Published Works	361	(1)
Uncollected Essays	362	(1)
References	362	(3)
Index	365