Chester Alan Arthur

Birth-Death: (1830 - 1886 ) Term: (1881-1885 )

Arthur's foreign policy was dictated by a firm belief in naval power. Thus, he pushed for the expansion of the United States naval fleet.

Foreign Events of Chester Arthur

    Chester A. Arthur realized the need for the expansion of the navy. If the United States were to become an imperialistic nation, he thought, a powerful navy would be needed. The Monitor v. Merrimack battle during the Civil War demonstarted the power of the ironclads. In 1882 Arthur pushed through Congress a bill starting a construction of a new steel navy. The first steel cruisers to come off the lines were the "Chicago" and the "Boston".