February 10, 2015

Beginning of the arms race with Germany

Historically, Germany had been a land power with hardly any naval tradition, so when the Kaiser announced that “our future ties on the water,” the challenge to Britain’s naval predominance was on. Grand-Admiral Tirpitz’s naval building program inflamed this rivalry and Churchill’s entire summer was devoted to responding to the crisis.

The support of the Empire was crucial and Churchill spent most of his time hosting a contingent of Canadian ministers led by Prime Minister Robert Borden. He hoped to entice Borden to contribute funds to pay for the construction of three dreadnoughts. Despite Borden’s acquiescence, there was considerable opposition within Canada to this proposal.

The argument over the disposition of the Fleet in the Mediterranean and Home waters was resolved by recognizing the needs of the North Sea as a priority but keeping a Mediterranean battle fleet equal to the “one-power Mediterranean standard, excluding France,” which meant that Britain would equal the challenge of any single power on the body of water, excluding her ally. This response to the German challenge was expensive but Churchill willingly assumed responsibility.

When Lloyd George told him that responsibility stared him in the face. Churchill responded: “Your only chance is to get 5 million pounds next year – and put the blame on me. Then you will be in clover again for the rest of Parliament.”

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He observed the Fleet’s tactical exercises at Portsmouth and cruised up the coast to Scotland on HMS Enchantress. Lloyd George told him: “You have become a water creature. You think we all live on the sea, and all your thoughts are devoted to sea life, fishes, and other aquatic creatures. You forget that most of us live on land.”

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