Why did expansionist a such as Alfred Thayer Muhan urge the US to acquire overseas trerrory?

Alfred Thayer Mahan advocated for U.S. expansionism primarily to strengthen national security and enhance global influence through naval power. He believed that control of overseas territories would provide strategic coaling stations and naval bases, essential for a powerful navy. Mahan argued that a strong maritime presence was crucial for economic prosperity and the ability to project power internationally, positioning the U.S. as a formidable player on the world stage. His ideas significantly influenced American foreign policy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.