German Naval Laws

Definition

The German Naval Laws were five separate laws passed by Germany between 1898 and 1912 which aimed at developing and expanding their navy. These laws significantly contributed to tensions leading up to World War I.

Analogy

Imagine you're playing a game where everyone has agreed not to build too many powerful pieces. But then one player starts building more powerful pieces anyway. That's kind of what Germany did with its naval laws - it started building up its navy despite agreements meant to keep peace among European powers.

Related terms

Anglo-German Naval Agreement (1935): An agreement between Britain and Germany regulating the size of the German Navy in relation to Britain's navy.

Dreadnoughts: A type of battleship introduced in the early 20th century, larger and faster than its predecessors and equipped entirely with large-caliber guns.

Arms Race: A competition between nations for superiority in development and accumulation of weapons.