Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 58:46-1:00:04

London Treaty exit timing

A treaty-timing answer argues that changing the 1930 London framework could lock in stability while freeing Britain and the United States to build at scale.

BattleshipsFleet CarriersNaval ProcurementNaval Treaties
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Question

If the Allies could time their exit from naval treaties for maximum wartime advantage, when should they do it?

Short answer

The answer points to the 1930 London Naval Treaty moment, suggesting limits by ship size but no cumulative tonnage caps as a way to preserve design rules while allowing buildup.

Notes

The 1930 London Naval Treaty moment offered an alternative to a total break from naval limits. Per-ship limits could remain while cumulative tonnage caps disappeared, allowing major naval powers to build as many compliant ships as they could afford. Treaty design could therefore shape battleship, carrier, and cruiser construction without abandoning every rule at once.