U.S. naval officer Captain Alfred T. Mahan helped build public support for a navy when he published The Influence of Sea Power Upon History in 1890. Mahan pointed out that many prosperous nations had a large fleet of merchant ships to trade with the world and a large navy to defend the nation's trade. Mahan’s book helped build public support for a big navy. - McGraw Hill textbook

How would having a strong navy help the United States become a world power?