Why treaty controls broke down

The treaty system is traced to the trauma of the First World War and an effort to regulate away military competition. Suppressing quantitative and qualitative competition stored up design and construction pressure until the restrictions weakened. Durable limits needed controlled opportunities for states to feel secure and maintain capabilities instead of a complete construction freeze. States did not need to feel strongest, but they did need enough strength to prevent fear and perceived weakness from driving irrational choices. Italy's position is judged comparatively favorable, while American peace aims, British dominance, and Japanese security all failed to produce the outcomes their governments wanted.