Chapter 762 - 350: The Theory of Sea Power and the Shipbuilding Plan

Although the duration of this war was short, it must be acknowledged that the future European situation has been changed by this war.

On the surface, Europe seems calm and peaceful, but beneath the surface, it is already turbulent and surging.

Although neither Germany and Austria-Hungary nor France have mentioned plans for military expansion again, their actions indicate that they are already preparing for war.

In July 1889, as the victors of the war, Germany and Austria-Hungary held a meeting with Italy.

The meeting emphasized the importance of the Triple Alliance and discussed the main directions for the future military expansion of the alliance.

This cannot go without mentioning a famous American military theorist, Alfred Thayer Mahan.

Although Europe has already seen many empires dominate by virtue of strong maritime power, at this time there were still many countries placing greater emphasis on army strength.

Germany, France, and Russia are countries where army power exceeds naval power. On one hand, their territory and population necessitate a strong army; on the other hand, their investment in the navy is indeed not substantial.

Germany now has the capability to build a strong navy, but their investment in it is far less than in their army.

The army of the German Empire is sufficient to dominate Europe, but its navy is somewhat inferior to those of other major powers, whether it be France or Russia.

At the beginning of 1890, Alfred Thayer Mahan published the first volume of his sea power trilogy, "The Influence of Sea Power upon History, 1660-1783", which shocked all of Europe, illustrating his understanding of sea power.

Alfred Thayer Mahan believed that the prosperity and security of a nation are inextricably linked to sea power. Sea power can determine the outcome of naval and land wars and even influence historical progress.

"The Influence of Sea Power upon History, 1660-1783" not only recorded Mahan’s views on maritime military power but also argued his case through narrating various European and American wars and battles.

Once published, this book became popular across many European and American countries, transforming "sea power theory" from a vague thought into a well-defined strategic proposition.

Because of this book and Mahan’s forward-looking views and ideas, he was hailed throughout Europe and America as the father of sea power theory and a military theorist with profound strategic thoughts.

Even before the publication of this book, European countries’ views on sea power were becoming increasingly clear. They began to value the development of their navies, considering them as important military forces no weaker than the army.

Undoubtedly, Alfred Thayer Mahan’s "The Influence of Sea Power upon History, 1660-1783" accelerated this development, leading European and even world countries to focus on naval development.

With the book’s popularity, some classic naval battles mentioned in it were frequently referenced, such as the Siege of Gibraltar from 1779 to 1782 and the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, relating to Spain.

Both battles ended with the United Kingdom defeating the Franco-Spanish Alliance, an outcome etched in the Spanish people’s memory for decades.

Before this, the British invasion of Gibraltar was already considered a perpetual pain in the heart of the Spanish people and one of the most humiliating wars in Spain’s modern history, frequently mentioned in Spanish newspapers.

Perhaps even the author of "The Influence of Sea Power upon History, 1660-1783", Alfred Thayer Mahan, didn’t foresee that a book outlining sea power would be most memorable to Spain for its association with wars against the British.

In February 1890, as "The Influence of Sea Power upon History, 1660-1783" gained popularity across Europe and was published extensively, a massive anti-British demonstration erupted within Spain.

Though Spain had grown stronger, its people would never forget Gibraltar, forcibly seized by the British.

More extreme and radical politicians openly voiced speeches advocating the recapture of Gibraltar to garner support from those who still remembered it.

Relations between Spain and the United Kingdom were already strained, and under the book’s influence, along with certain politicians, Spanish public sentiment towards the British was declining sharply.

If you were to discuss which country was most friendly to Spain, Spanish citizens might hesitate between Austria-Hungary and Italy.

But if you were to discuss which country had the worst relationship with Spain, without a doubt, it would be the British Empire.

The British Empire’s might was built upon the ruins of the previous Sun Never Sets Empire, Spain, and the grievances between Spain and the British could be traced back hundreds of years.

Amid the rising anti-British sentiment, Carlo not only did not suppress it but allowed it to flourish.

For Carlo, it was necessary for Spain to oppose the British.

Only by opposing the British could Spain hope to reclaim Gibraltar and annex Portugal.

These two matters held immense strategic significance for Spain and were key to whether Spain could become a superpower.

For Carlo, achieving these two goals during his reign was equally important. If successful, Carlo would rank among the greatest monarchs in Spanish history and establish a firm ruling foundation for the Savoy Family in Spain, allowing his reign to be inherited by his descendants for centuries.