Was the Great White Fleet aimed at Americans or foreign governments?

Was the Great White Fleet primarily aimed at Americans at home rather than Britain or Germany?

It addressed both audiences. Americans needed to understand the value of overseas naval capability, while the route and diplomatic purpose answered foreign-policy needs.

The public launch and circumnavigation made American naval power visible to people at home. They helped justify the capability and expense of operating around the world. The route also reflected foreign-policy purposes, since a government needed a reason to project power to those places. Domestic persuasion and overseas diplomacy reinforced each other. Deterrence and recognition of American status belonged to the same deployment.