Why did Americans like Alfred Thayer Mahan advocate for a muscular foreign policy?

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Mahan believed that national greatness and prosperity came from maritime power and that a strong navy was essential to protect trade routes and assert global influence. His ideas influenced the U.S. to adopt a more aggressive foreign policy stance, viewing war and a strong military presence as means to prevent societal decay and maintain national vigor, which he and others saw as being threatened by "overcivilization."

Why Did Americans Like Alfred Thayer Mahan Advocate for a Muscular