Prelude to World War I

Abstract

At the dawn of the twentieth century Germany began an intensive construction program to build up its battle fleet to eventually challenge Britain’s ascendancy on the seas. The British, which relied on its huge navy to protect its far-flung colonial empire and secure the country against invasion, responded by launching a new shipbuilding program of its own in order to maintain its margin of superiority over its rival. The increase in naval construction, especially of the new dreadnoughts, then the most powerful ships, put a strain on the budget of both nations. The British were sufficiently worried to approach Berlin in February 1912 with a proposal that would limit the number of dreadnoughts both sides could build. The mission sent to Berlin, however, accomplished nothing. The Germans demanded as the price for agreeing to London’s overtures, a promise that Britain would remain neutral in the event of a Continental war. Such a condition, however, could not be entertained.