marydilip.info – Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd president of the United States, presided over an administration that was shaped by an evolving view of America’s role in global politics. One of the most significant and enduring aspects of Harrison’s presidency was his commitment to strengthening the U.S. Navy and asserting the nation’s power on the world stage. The late 19th century was a time of profound change, as the United States began to transition from a largely isolationist nation to a more assertive global power. Harrison’s vision of naval power as central to American foreign policy would shape the trajectory of the nation’s military, diplomatic, and economic strategies in the years to come.
While Harrison is often remembered for his role in domestic policy, particularly his advocacy for civil service reform and the tariff debate, his impact on America’s naval strategy and his vision for the country’s position in the global balance of power are equally significant. This article will explore how Harrison’s push for naval power helped lay the foundation for the United States’ eventual emergence as a major world power in the 20th century.
The Context of U.S. Naval Policy in the Late 19th Century
The Naval Background Before Harrison’s Presidency
Before Harrison’s time in office, the United States had largely embraced a policy of isolationism, focusing on domestic affairs rather than engaging in global conflicts. This was reflected in the state of the U.S. Navy, which, despite occasional periods of expansion, remained relatively small and underfunded compared to the naval forces of European powers. The U.S. Navy in the late 19th century was primarily oriented toward coastal defense rather than projecting power overseas.
By the 1880s, however, the changing global dynamics and the increasing competition among European powers, particularly in Africa and Asia, began to compel American policymakers to reconsider the country’s position in the world. A growing belief in American exceptionalism and the idea that the United States should play a larger role in global affairs was beginning to take hold. As the nation industrialized and expanded its interests abroad, it became clear that naval power was essential to projecting influence in far-off regions.
The Influence of Alfred Thayer Mahan
A crucial intellectual influence on Harrison’s naval policy was the work of Alfred Thayer Mahan, a U.S. Navy officer and historian whose writings emphasized the importance of sea power in achieving national greatness. Mahan’s 1890 book, The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, argued that a strong navy was essential to a nation’s economic prosperity and military security, especially in an era of global competition and imperialism.
Mahan’s theories had a profound impact on U.S. military thinking, and many of his ideas were adopted by policymakers during Harrison’s presidency. He contended that controlling key sea routes, establishing overseas bases, and building a modern fleet were essential elements of national power. By the time Harrison entered office in 1889, Mahan’s theories were gaining widespread influence within the U.S. Navy and among those who believed that the United States needed to increase its naval capabilities in order to compete with the European powers.
Harrison’s Vision for Naval Power
The Importance of a Strong Navy
When Benjamin Harrison took office in 1889, he inherited a country that was increasingly aware of the need to protect its interests abroad. As a former senator and a man with a keen sense of national pride, Harrison understood the importance of military strength in an era of expanding global commerce and competition. In his view, a modern and powerful navy was not only a necessary tool for securing the country’s trade routes but also a means to enhance American prestige and influence on the world stage.
Harrison’s support for a more robust naval policy was rooted in both practical concerns and broader geopolitical considerations. He believed that a strong navy was crucial for the protection of American economic interests, particularly as the nation looked to expand its commercial ties with Asia, Latin America, and the Pacific. A modern navy would be vital for securing and protecting the newly acquired territories from the Spanish-American War, and for asserting American power in the Pacific and Caribbean.
Harrison’s Naval Building Program
One of Harrison’s primary achievements in regard to naval power was his commitment to expanding and modernizing the U.S. Navy. Harrison inherited a fleet that was outdated and underprepared for the challenges of a rapidly changing world. He understood that in order to compete with European powers such as Great Britain, Germany, and France, the United States needed to invest in cutting-edge naval technology and infrastructure.
To this end, Harrison pushed for significant investments in the construction of new warships, including battleships, cruisers, and torpedo boats, which would form the backbone of a new, modern fleet. Harrison’s administration played a key role in advocating for the construction of steel-hull ships, which would prove to be more durable and effective than the wooden ships that had previously constituted the fleet.
Harrison’s leadership in the expansion of the navy was also driven by the recognition that the United States needed to maintain naval bases in key regions, particularly in the Pacific and Caribbean. These bases would serve as vital points for projecting American power and securing trade routes. The construction of a modern navy was seen as a necessary step toward ensuring that the United States could defend its interests overseas, especially as European nations began to compete for influence in the Americas, Asia, and Africa.
The 1890 Naval Appropriations Act
A critical moment in Harrison’s pursuit of naval power came with the passage of the 1890 Naval Appropriations Act, which authorized the construction of several new warships. The legislation was a direct response to the growing recognition that the U.S. Navy needed modernization and expansion to keep pace with the naval forces of other global powers. Under Harrison’s leadership, the United States embarked on a comprehensive naval construction program that would lay the foundation for the country’s emergence as a naval power in the 20th century.
The Naval Appropriations Act of 1890 allocated significant funds for the construction of several advanced warships, including the USS Indiana, which became the first modern battleship in the U.S. Navy. This was a major step forward in the development of a modern fleet capable of projecting power across the globe. Additionally, Harrison’s administration made strategic investments in naval infrastructure, including ports, shipyards, and training facilities, which would ensure that the Navy was prepared to operate on a global scale.
The creation of this new, modern fleet was part of a broader vision that saw the United States not just as a continental power, but as a force capable of influencing world events. Harrison’s commitment to a strong, technologically advanced navy laid the groundwork for the United States to eventually become a dominant naval power, particularly in the Pacific and the Caribbean.
The Role of Naval Power in U.S. Foreign Policy
The Influence on U.S. Territorial Expansion
Harrison’s push for naval power was closely linked to America’s territorial ambitions in the late 19th century. The Spanish-American War of 1898, which occurred shortly after Harrison left office, was a direct result of the expanding influence of U.S. naval power. The Navy played a central role in defeating the Spanish fleet and securing victory for the United States in the war.
The strategic importance of naval bases became evident during the war. The United States quickly established a naval presence in the Caribbean and the Pacific, and Harrison’s investments in modern warships helped ensure that the U.S. Navy was able to effectively combat Spanish forces. Following the victory, the United States emerged with control over several Spanish territories, including Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines—territories that would serve as critical stepping stones for future American influence in Asia and the Pacific.
In this way, Harrison’s advocacy for naval power directly contributed to the expansion of U.S. territories and the nation’s increasing involvement in global affairs. The acquisition of overseas territories following the Spanish-American War marked the beginning of the United States’ transformation into an imperial power.
The Shift to a Global Power
While Harrison’s presidency was relatively brief, it was a crucial turning point in the evolution of American foreign policy. His commitment to strengthening the U.S. Navy signaled a shift toward a more active role in international affairs, especially in the Pacific and the Caribbean. The naval expansion program he championed laid the groundwork for U.S. interventions in global conflicts, as well as for the eventual establishment of the United States as a dominant force in the world.
The increasing naval power of the United States, driven by Harrison’s policies, would set the stage for the nation’s participation in the First World War and its eventual rise as a global superpower in the 20th century. In this sense, Harrison’s advocacy for naval strength was not just a matter of military preparedness—it was a key part of shaping the United States’ global strategy and ensuring its ability to protect its interests abroad.
The Legacy of Benjamin Harrison’s Naval Policy
Benjamin Harrison’s legacy in the realm of naval power is a significant but often overlooked aspect of his presidency. His efforts to modernize and expand the U.S. Navy were not merely a reflection of military ambition—they were part of a broader vision of American greatness that emphasized the importance of a strong, capable military in safeguarding national interests and asserting influence on the world stage.
Harrison’s policies on naval power laid the foundation for the American Century, a period in which the United States would become the dominant naval and economic power in the world. The fleet he helped build and the naval policies he championed would serve as a springboard for the United States to assert itself as a key player in global politics, particularly in the Pacific and the Caribbean. The shift in U.S. foreign policy toward greater involvement in international affairs was directly tied to the expansion of naval power during Harrison’s administration.
In the end, Benjamin Harrison’s presidency represents a pivotal moment in the history of American military and foreign policy. By pushing for a powerful navy and a more active role on the world stage, Harrison helped set the stage for the United States to emerge as a global superpower in the 20th century.