Why German torpedo boats remained smaller than desired

Some pre-World War I German vessels are described retrospectively as destroyers even though Germany called them torpedo boats. That original designation is considered a fair reflection of their size and capability. Available funds, infrastructure, and industrial capacity were concentrated on battleships and battlecruisers. The smaller craft consequently received less than would have been needed to build the ships their designers wanted. A capital-ship program could therefore shape the fleet's lighter forces even without changing their formal duties.