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Hint: In the 1890s Germany had a larger and more-advanced engineering & manufacturing industrial complex than the US.I wonder how the air war during WW1 would have gone, had in the late 1890s Wilhelm II told Tirpitz we don't need to antagonize the British by building a battlefleet. Instead, let's follow the examples of our Baltic and Dutch cousins and focus on coastal defence vessels, plus protected cruisers for our colonies. And now, instead of a battlefleet, let's focus on building the strongest economy and advanced engineering and manufacturing industry in the world, 2nd only to the US. Oh, and build the largest and most technologically advanced army in the world so that if the time comes, we can roll over France and Russia… but to keep our British cousins happy, always stay out of Belgium. By the 1910s this would have led to the Germany's introduction of warplanes. In 1914 when France and Russia declare war, the Luftwaffe might not have to face the RAF at all.
Understood, but pedantics aside, I do not see how that changes the premise of the question. The Kaiser wants to focus on building up his economy and army rather than a battlefleet.The overall US economy was NOT superior to Germany's or France's at the time.
Understood, but pedantics aside, I do not see how that changes the premise of the question. The Kaiser wants to focus on building up his economy and army rather than a battlefleet.
By all means post the actual proof that Churchill had such a desire while at the same time taking into account that Churchillthere was a growing desire in certain circles (Churchill!) to remove Germany as competitor by force
If you see another country entering a ship building program that is geared towards being able to take on your navy then that may give you a clue as to whoYour statement that Britain needed its immense navy for its very survival beggars belief. Who in the world was going to attack them? And overseas trade was just as important for Germany as it was for Britain.