French naval planning faced a choice between Mediterranean parity with Italy and protection of an empire with bases around the world. The treaty system allowed France naval strength equal to Italy's even though French commitments extended far beyond the Mediterranean. The rise of fascist powers in Italy, Germany, and Spain placed pressure around three sides of France. Renewed German naval construction created a further demand beyond the force needed to match Italy. The result was a strategic burden that legal parity with one rival could not solve.
Chapter · 20:38-21:46
Treaty parity left France defending both a frontier and an empire
Naval treaty limits tied France to Italian strength even as Germany, Spain, and worldwide imperial commitments widened the strategic challenge.