- The Arms Race
- Competition in weapon production, especially between Britain and Germany.
Naval Rivalry between Britain and Germany:
- Britain had a supreme fleet pre-1890.
- Kaiser William II and Admiral von Tirpitz built a large German fleet (1898-1900).
- Britain launched HMS Dreadnought in 1906, making older ships obsolete.
- Germany built their own dreadnoughts and u-boats.
Initiatives in the Arms Race:
- Increased army sizes.
- Built more weapons.
- Increased defense budgets.
- Implemented compulsory military training and conscription.
European Armies by 1914:
- France: 1,250,000 soldiers, 62 warships, 73 submarines.
- Britain: 711,000 soldiers, 185 warships, 64 submarines.
- Germany: 2,200,000 soldiers, 97 warships, 23 submarines.
Reasons for the Arms-Naval Race:
- Defense.
- Prestige.
How it Led to WWI:
- Created tensions and mistrust.
- Escalated minor conflicts.