Question

how did alfred mahans the influence of sea power upon history help shape u.s. foreign policy?

it encouraged the regulation of commercial whaling.
it led to the expansion of military bases on the west coast.
it encouraged leaders to seek colonies to maintain power.
it led to the round-the-world trip of the great white fleet.

question 5
(03.01 mc)
how did turners thesis help shape u.s. foreign policy?

it led to renewed calls for isolationism in congress.
it led to u.s. support for the boxer rebellion in china.
it ended the u.s. policy of seeking ports in the pacific ocean.
it encouraged leaders to find new regions in which who expand u.s. influence.

Explanation:

Analyze Alfred Mahan's influence on foreign policy

Using the American Imperialism and Great White Fleet knowledge points, we analyze Alfred Thayer Mahan's 1890 work, The Influence of Sea Power Upon History. Mahan argued that national greatness was inextricably linked to maritime power. To achieve this, a nation required a powerful navy, coaling stations, and strategic overseas colonies. This thesis directly encouraged American political leaders to seek colonies and build up a global naval presence to maintain and project power.

Evaluate the options for the first question

• Option 1: Commercial whaling regulation is unrelated to Mahan's focus on military and strategic naval power.
• Option 2: While naval bases were built, Mahan's thesis specifically advocated for global expansion and overseas colonies, not just domestic West Coast bases.
• Option 3: This directly aligns with Mahan's core argument that powerful nations must acquire overseas colonies and bases to secure trade routes and project power.
• Option 4: Although the Great White Fleet was influenced by navalism, the direct, broad policy impact of his book was encouraging the acquisition of overseas territories (colonies).

Analyze Turner's Thesis and foreign policy

Frederick Jackson Turner's "Frontier Thesis" (1893) argued that the American democratic character and identity were forged by the experience of settling the western frontier. With the 1890 census declaring the domestic frontier closed, Turner's thesis raised concerns about where the United States would find its next outlet for energy and growth. This encouraged American leaders to look beyond North America to find new regions in which to expand U.S. influence.

Evaluate the options for the second question

• Option 1: The thesis encouraged expansionism, not isolationism.
• Option 2: The U.S. opposed the Boxer Rebellion (sending troops to suppress it), making this historically inaccurate.
• Option 3: The U.S. continued to seek Pacific ports to expand trade.
• Option 4: This is correct because the "closed frontier" at home motivated leaders to seek new frontiers abroad to expand American economic and political influence.

Answer:

Question 1

• It encouraged the regulation of commercial whaling.
• It led to the expansion of military bases on the West Coast.
• It encouraged leaders to seek colonies to maintain power. (Correct answer)
• It led to the round-the-world trip of the Great White Fleet.

Question 2

• It led to renewed calls for isolationism in Congress.
• It led to U.S. support for the Boxer Rebellion in China.
• It ended the U.S. policy of seeking ports in the Pacific Ocean.
• It encouraged leaders to find new regions in which to expand U.S. influence. (Correct answer)