This excerpt is from alfred thayer mahan's the influence of sea power upon history: "having therefore no foreign establishments, either colonial or military, the ships of war of the united states, in war, will be like land birds, unable to fly far from their own shores. to provide resting places for them, where they can coal and repair, would be one of the first duties of a government proposing to itself the development of the power of the nation at sea." source:in what way did mahan's thesis in the influence of sea power upon history support the idea of manifest destiny? mahan argued that a strong navy would allow the united states to prevent future conflicts around the world. mahan argued that a strong navy would allow the united states to surpass great britain as the world's leading sea power. mahan argued that a strong navy would allow the united states to defend the territory gained along its western borders. mahan argued that a strong navy would allow the united states to expand beyond its borders and become a world power.