How a competition for naval supremacy pushed Europe toward catastrophe
Explore the high-stakes Anglo-German naval race that preceded the Great War. This video examines how rapid advancements in warship technology and aggressive maritime strategies transformed a technological arms race into a global political crisis.
The video traces the evolution of naval warfare from the 19th-century introduction of steam propulsion and ironclads to the revolutionary launch of HMS Dreadnought. It highlights the influence of Alfred Thayer Mahan, whose theories suggested that national greatness relied on maritime supremacy and decisive fleet battles.
Central to the conflict was Germany's 'risk theory,' championed by Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz. His goal was to build a fleet so formidable that Britain could not engage without sustaining crippling losses. This prompted Britain to implement the Two-Power Standard and undergo sweeping reforms under Admiral 'Jacky' Fisher, ultimately escalating the rivalry into a period of intense propaganda and political instability.
Source: The Naval Race That Started WWI
