Trade dependence behind the South American dreadnought race

Even a resource-rich continental economy such as the United States still needed overseas trade for hard currency and infrastructure investment. Smaller exporting powers faced still greater exposure to interruptions at sea. South American states sold raw materials abroad and imported much of the equipment needed to develop their infrastructure. Their ability to finance growth therefore depended on continued maritime access. Powerful ships offered insurance against having those economic lifelines dictated by foreign cruisers or battlecruisers.