The United States did not need the voyage to prove that it could fight. Its Civil War, Spanish-American War, and conflicts with Mexico had already created a strongly martial international image. The harder task was demonstrating national subtlety through disciplined sailors, ceremonies, cooperation, and disaster relief. The South American leg offered a diplomatic reset and showed capabilities useful in peacetime and the grey zone as well as battle.
Notable Point · 34:54-36:36
South American visits demonstrated diplomatic range
After wars had established American martial power, the fleet's South American visits showed that U.S. sailors could also cooperate, assist, and conduct careful diplomacy.