The Influence of Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan upon the United States Navy through the United States Naval Institute's Proceedings

Nearly a century after his death, the influence of Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan 1840-1914 continues to fuel debate, discussion, and research. As a prolific author, Mahan used the print media, the dominant form of communication in the early 20th century, to influence the American public, the U.S. Government, and the United States Navy. Although many studies have addressed his influence upon a specific topic, none have examined his influence through a single print media outlet. This study focuses on Mahans use of the United States Naval Institutes magazine, Proceedings, from 1900 to 1914. An examination of Mahans childhood, naval career, and literary works provides the backdrop required to evaluate his influence upon the Navy through Proceedings. This study reveals that Mahan, a United States Naval Institute member, seldom used Proceedings, and therefore, limited his overall influence upon the Navy through the premiere naval magazine.