Armstrong restores Mahan's commerce balance

Mahan's geographic analysis joins command of the sea to commerce: naval power protects trade, while trade generates the resources that sustain naval power. The attraction of a large battle fleet, including visible shipbuilding contracts and employment, can obscure the merchant marine, escorts, and trade protection that complete his argument. Corbett stresses those less visible mechanisms because a British audience already accepted the necessity of the battle fleet. Mahan stresses battle power because his American audience repeatedly needed that case explained. The two theorists differ more in audience, emphasis, and nuance than in their need for both fighting power and commercial sea control.