The financial argument separates Britain's wartime borrowing into phases: reserves in 1914, increasing Dominion and domestic debt, then much heavier American borrowing in 1917-18. Ending the war earlier removes the most expensive phase in the proposed timeline. It also reduces the American emergency shipbuilding surge, including the large four-stack destroyer program. The resulting US fleet is expected to retain an imbalance between capital ships and escorts because the emergency wartime funding that helped expand its lighter forces would be reduced. This conclusion depends on the date at which the naval victory produces peace.
Chapter · 1:48:31-1:53:55
A shorter war changes British debt and American naval growth
Ending the war before the heaviest 1917-18 borrowing and American shipbuilding leaves Britain stronger and the US Navy smaller and less balanced.