Fleet size follows tasks and geography as well as national wealth. The United States had two long coastlines, Alaska, Hawaii, Pacific possessions, and Monroe Doctrine responsibilities even while its politics turned inward. France balanced naval needs against a large army and maintained scattered possessions beyond its comparatively short European coastline. As an island state, Japan could define national defence through control of the surrounding sea despite its smaller colonial reach.
Notable Point · 57:18-58:53
Geography and imperial commitments shape fleet size
The treaty debate links naval requirements to coastlines, overseas possessions, army priorities, and each state's idea of where its security began.