How far would Britain let an industrial Brazil push a two-power-standard naval race?
Short answerBritain would keep building, but distance, American opposition and regional diplomacy make a direct Anglo-Brazilian war less likely than economic or political pressure.
NotesA Brazilian challenge differs from the Anglo-German race because Britain and Germany faced one another across the North Sea. Atlantic distance would let Britain match Brazil without treating every ship as an immediate home-water threat. The United States, however, would react strongly to a rival for predominance in the Americas. Britain could reinforce South Atlantic and Caribbean bases while using finance and relationships with Brazil's neighbours rather than rushing directly into war.