Inspiring the imagination of politicians, the writings of Alfred Thayer Mahan laid the foundation for the emergence of the global superpower the United States is today. When it was first published in 1890, it was intended as a detailed history of the critical and positive impact of naval power in the growth of states. At the time, this was clearly indicated by the British Royal Navy, but The Influence of Sea Power upon History, 1660-1783, soon served as the catalyst for the transformation of the United States small force of outmoded ships into a mighty modern fleet.