What event led to the formation of the Navy?

The establishment of the Continental Navy was a pivotal moment in the formation of the Navy as it represented the first organized naval force of the United States, created specifically to combat British naval dominance during the American Revolutionary War. This decision to form a navy arose from the need for a naval power that could protect American ships and interests, disrupt British supply lines, and assert the nation’s independence.

The Continental Navy was established in 1775, prior to the creation of the United States as an independent nation and laid the groundwork for the naval traditions and operations that would later evolve into the current United States Navy. This early focus on naval warfare highlighted the importance of a dedicated maritime service in defense of national interests and facilitated the transition from a colonial militia approach to a formal naval structure.

While the signing of the Constitution recognized the Navy's establishment as a constitutional entity and the creation of the Naval Academy provided essential training for future naval leaders, their formations were subsequent developments that built upon the initial commitment made with the Continental Navy. The initiation of naval battles in World War I, while significant in terms of naval history, did not directly lead to the formation of the Navy itself.