Revolution at Sea
Naval strategy that targets enemy trade through raiding merchant shipping rather than conventional fleet battles
Guerre de course
The undeclared naval conflict between the U.S. and France (1798–1800).
Quasi-war
The treaty that ended the War of 1812
Treaty of Ghent
The 19th century belief that the expansion of the United States to the West was justified and inevitable
Manifest Destiny
This Union naval strategy aimed to "strangle" the southern coast with a naval blockade while also capturing confederate forts along the Mississippi River
Anaconda Plan
The 1776 Lake Champlain battle led by Benedict Arnold that delayed British operations and bought time for the Continental Army and Navy to regroup
Battle of Valcour Island
The North African states that preyed on commerce and pushed the U.S. toward overseas naval operations.
Barbary States
This term describes forcing sailors to serve in a navy against their will
Impressment
This 1846–1848 conflict helped the U.S. expand westward and gave the Navy operational experience supporting joint operations and national policy
Mexican-American War
This confederate strategy assumed that a cotton embargo would force British support due to the South providing 75% of the world's cotton
King Cotton thesis
This major battle directly resulted in France intervention in the American Revolution
Battle of Saratoga
Naval hero that led nighttime raid to burn the USS Philadelphia
Stephen Decatur
This American naval officer became a national hero after defeating the British on Lake Erie and reporting, “We have met the enemy and they are ours.”
Oliver Hazard Perry
This treaty, negotiated by CDRE Matthew Perry, is considered the start of the Japanese industrial revolution
Treaty of Kanagawa
This battle is considered the end of the Age of Sail
This 1781 naval action prevented British relief and enabled the British surrender at the Battle of Yorktown
Battle of Virginia Capes
Act that authorized the construction of the original Humphrey's frigates
Naval Act of 1794
This 1816 law authorized a major peacetime expansion of the U.S. Navy, signaling that the U.S. intended to protect commerce and interests abroad.
Act for the Gradual Increase of the Navy 1816
Amphibious landing at this city that allowed U.S troops to push into Mexico City and end the Mexican-American War
Vera Cruz
This Union ship was the first of its class. It was designed with steam propulsion, armor plating, and a revolving turret
USS Monitor
This one-man submersible was designed to offset British naval superiority and demonstrated the Continental Navy's reliance on innovation and asymmetric tactics
The Turtle
In 1807, HMS Leopard attacked and boarded this U.S. warship, taking alleged deserters and provoking public outrage
USS Chesapeake
This U.S. frigate’s victory over HMS Guerriere early in the war boosted American morale and challenged British assumptions about U.S. ships
USS Constitution
This U.S. Navy–led scientific voyage (1838–1842) mapped parts of the Pacific and Antarctica, advanced American maritime knowledge, and strengthened U.S. presence abroad.
Wilke's expedition
The world's first operational submarine
CSS Hunley