Anglo-German Naval Agreement

Definition

The Anglo-German Naval Agreement was a treaty signed in 1935 between the United Kingdom and Germany that allowed Germany to expand its navy to 35% of the size of the British Royal Navy. This agreement aimed to regulate naval armaments and was an attempt to appease Germany while maintaining British naval supremacy, reflecting the broader context of rising tensions in Europe leading up to World War II.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Anglo-German Naval Agreement marked the first time that Germany was allowed to legally build up its navy after World War I, despite the restrictions imposed by the Treaty of Versailles.
2. The agreement was seen as a way for Britain to prevent a potential arms race and conflict in Europe by controlling German naval expansion through negotiation.
3. Despite the agreement, many British officials were concerned that it would embolden Hitler and encourage further aggression from Germany.
4. The Anglo-German Naval Agreement failed to prevent escalation as Germany continued its rearmament program, leading to tensions that contributed to the outbreak of World War II.
5. This agreement is often viewed as a significant miscalculation by Britain, illustrating the flaws in appeasement policies that aimed to maintain peace but ultimately allowed for increased aggression from Nazi Germany.

Review Questions

• How did the Anglo-German Naval Agreement influence the balance of naval power in Europe during the 1930s?
  • The Anglo-German Naval Agreement significantly altered the balance of naval power by legitimizing Germany's naval expansion. By allowing Germany to build a navy that was 35% the size of Britain's, it not only represented a shift in naval strength but also challenged the post-World War I order established by the Treaty of Versailles. This agreement was intended as a means of controlling German ambitions, yet it ultimately contributed to rising tensions as it signaled Britain's willingness to accommodate some of Germany's demands.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the Anglo-German Naval Agreement in preventing further German militarization and aggression in Europe.
  • The effectiveness of the Anglo-German Naval Agreement can be critically assessed as largely unsuccessful in preventing German militarization and aggression. While it aimed to regulate naval armaments and maintain British supremacy, it inadvertently emboldened Hitler, who saw this concession as validation for his broader expansionist policies. Rather than curbing aggression, it signaled a lack of resolve from Britain, contributing to a perception of weakness that ultimately encouraged more bold moves from Nazi Germany, culminating in World War II.
• Analyze how the Anglo-German Naval Agreement fits into the larger context of appeasement strategies employed by Britain and France during the lead-up to World War II.
  • The Anglo-German Naval Agreement is emblematic of the broader appeasement strategies employed by Britain and France during the 1930s, where they sought to avoid conflict through concessions rather than confrontation. By allowing Germany to expand its navy, Britain hoped to placate Hitler and maintain peace in Europe. However, this approach reflected a profound misjudgment of Hitler's ambitions and intentions. The agreement highlights how appeasement often resulted in increased aggressiveness from totalitarian regimes, ultimately failing to prevent war and leading to dire consequences for Europe.

Related terms

Treaty of Versailles: The peace treaty that officially ended World War I in 1919, imposing heavy reparations and military restrictions on Germany.

Appeasement: A diplomatic policy aimed at avoiding war by making concessions to an aggressive power, exemplified by the British and French responses to German expansion in the 1930s.

Naval Arms Race: A competition between nations for superiority in naval power, particularly evident during the early 20th century and intensifying with Germany's rearmament in the 1930s.