An 1824 divergence leaves too much time for a confident prediction about the Second World War. A more immediate First World War mechanism comes from a standing British presence that develops into a cruiser base for monitoring Pacific trade. Cruisers operating from Hawaii might intercept Von Spee or come up behind his force while a British squadron approaches from the South Atlantic at Coronel. Their arrival would change the operational problem without guaranteeing the result of the battle. The example makes the ships, support facilities, and long-term development of the base more consequential than a simple change of sovereignty on a map.
Notable Point · 7:02-8:39
A Hawaiian cruiser base could change Pacific war planning
A permanent British presence in Hawaii could alter Pacific cruiser deployments and even complicate Von Spee's First World War options.