The act publicly demonstrated what Britain was willing and able to build. Other powers responded rather than standing still: France and Russia expanded, while the industrial and strategic precedent helped set the conditions for the later Anglo-German naval race. The same program that strengthened British capacity therefore contributed to the competitive cycle Granville had warned about. Continued foreign construction also forced the 1894 Liberal government under Earl Spencer to authorize another program.
Chapter · 2:42:28-2:43:03
The act advertised British resolve and encouraged naval competition
France and Russia matched construction, Germany later entered a naval race, and the Liberal government answered with the 1894 Spencer program.