Congressional Politics: Building the New Navy,1876-86

This article examines the treatment of the American Navy at the hands of Congress, based on the premise that the political struggle between the Republicans and Democrats played the major role in the decline and rejuvenation of the fleet. The period of decline is described as the first decade following the Civil War; however, most of the article concerns the next 10 years. During this latter decade, Congress and the public became aware of the poor condition of the fleet and the first steps toward modernization began. Attempts by Republican administrations, however, were thwarted by the Democrats, who refused to support any construction bills offered by the party in power. It was not until the Democrats gained the White House-in 1885-that this policy began to change. The author contends that congressional politics was the determining factor in deciding when the fleet modernization would start.