Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:37:59-2:38:59

Britain's argument against the building holiday

Britain could oppose a total building holiday by emphasizing its older fleet and the need to maintain strength across four major maritime theaters.

British EmpireFleet ReplacementNaval DiplomacyRoyal NavyWashington Naval Treaty
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Question

What negotiating strategy could Britain use in 1920-21 to defeat the American proposal for a total capital-ship building holiday?

Short answer

Stress the age of the fleet and Britain's unique need to cover the Atlantic, Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, and Pacific.

Notes

Britain could oppose the building holiday by stressing the age of its fleet. It also needed strength in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, and Pacific. The comparison gives the United States two principal oceans to cover and Japan one. Britain could use that difference to argue for the freedom to build more ships, or to replace them when required.