Abstract
At the turn of the 19th century American naval historian Alfred Thayer Mahan (1840- 1914) developed a concept which he called the "Debatable Zone". This was a wide arc stretching from Turkey to China which Mahan argued was the key to future world development. Mahan's Debatable Zone has become the best known American contribution to early geopolitical thinking, and is often seen as one of the roots of Mackinder's heartland theory. However, Mahan's ideas can be better understood in the context of popular writing on Asia at the time. Although he had the ear of key American political figures, they often rejected Mahan's views on Asia. Moreover, after developing the idea ofthe Debatable Zone, Mahan immediately abandoned the concept. This abandonment may have been because changing events had ceased to make it useful in promoting his real interest, increased American naval strength.
Recommended Citation
Walters, Jr., William D.
(2000)
"The Context of Mahan's 'Debatable Zone',"
The Geographical Bulletin: Vol. 42:
Iss.
2, Article 3.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/thegeographicalbulletin/vol42/iss2/3