The first league protected neutral shipping and complicated British access to Baltic trade during the American Revolutionary War. Catherine benefited from Britain and France remaining preoccupied with each other, so Britain did not expect her coalition to become an offensive threat. The experience nevertheless pushed Britain to study Baltic politics and geography and invest more heavily in diplomatic and intelligence networks. That accumulated knowledge helps explain why the Royal Navy could react quickly when a second league appeared under very different leadership.
Notable Point · 31:13-37:36
Catherine's league and Britain's Baltic learning
Catherine the Great's first League of Armed Neutrality constrained British sea power without becoming an offensive French partner. It also taught Britain to study the Baltic more carefully.