American naval orders in 1916 responded to developments and losses in the European war. If a Baltic battle in 1915 replaced Jutland and brought an earlier peace, those later decisions could change. The absence of the large subsequent U-boat campaign would also reduce the impetus for the historical American destroyer buildup. These altered construction requirements are part of the argument that the naval treaty system would develop differently.
Notable Point · 2:14:41-2:15:29
How an early peace could change American fleet construction
A decisive battle in 1915 could remove the later wartime conditions behind American capital-ship orders and destroyer expansion.