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Figure 20-1.U. S. naval sea power
THE U.S. NAVYS RESPONSIBILITY IN SEA POWER - 14325_572

Basic Military Requirements (BMR) Revised Edition
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The United States is not as independent as people think. We must import most of our raw materials. Actually, we import no fewer than 77 resources to maintain our present economy. As an example, we import 85 percent of the manganese we need to make steel. We use columbite to make nuclear reactors, stainless steel, rockets, and missiles; we import 90 percent of it. We also import bauxite (used to refine aluminum) and chromite (used to strengthen steel). More than 90 percent of the tin we need in this country we import. At one time, the U.S. consumed more than one-third of the entire world’s supply of oil. However, through conservation efforts we have reduced that oil consumption. Half of the free-world mineral production goes into the industrial needs of the United States. Of all our needed minerals, only about 11 are found within our borders; the U.S. is a raw-material-deficient nation. The United States could not possibly produce enough aircraft to move all the goods that now travel by water. Our economy depends on waterborne commerce. The  United  States,  like  all  nations  of  the  world, acknowledges freedom of the seas under international law. When fighting wars, nations do whatever is in their power to prevent the enemy from using the seas. They aim  to  cut  commercial  shipping  lanes  to  prevent  the enemy from receiving critical raw materials for the war effort. Throughout history, the great nations have been those which controlled the seas. From the ancient times of Persia to the World War II days of Japan, loss of sea power has caused many nations to fail. Before  World  War  I,  we  were  a  quiet  nation  and stayed mostly to ourselves. When we were drawn into World War I, we became the most industrialized nation in the world. Our economy slowed down after the war; when  World  War  II  started,  we  once  more  became highly industrialized. We have remained that way ever since.  Our  defense  depends  on  a  highly  productive industrial system. We must keep the sea-lanes open so that  the  supply  of  essential  raw  material  continues  to flow in our direction. Halting the flow would be a great blow to the safety and economy of the United States. In the wars of this nation, we have managed to maintain a constant supply of raw materials. But, to keep our troops supplied,  we  have  had  to  ship  over  97  percent  of  our products overseas. You  should  realize  the  importance  of  the  United States’ability to maintain control of the seas for the use of the free world. To protect our national security and sustain our economy, our nation must continue to take the following actions: Import raw materials from throughout the world, convert  them  into  manufactured  goods,  and export them to the world marketplaces by ocean shipping. Keep the sea-lanes open and secure in times of peace and tension, and deny them to the enemy in times of war. Many  areas  of  sea  power  are  covered  in  the remainder of this chapter. Keep in mind that no matter where your station is, your job plays an important role in our nation’s sea power. Your job helps keep us all free and secure. REVIEW 1 QUESTIONS Q1.   What is sea power? Q2.   List the principal operational components of our nation’s sea power. a. b. c. d. Q3.   According  to  Alfred  Mahan,  there  are  six conditions  required  for  a  nation  to  have  sea power. List these conditions. a. 20-3 Student Notes:







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