Washington Naval Treaty

Definition

The Washington Naval Treaty, signed in 1922, was an agreement among major naval powers to limit naval armaments and prevent an arms race following World War I. It aimed to promote peace by establishing ratios for battleship tonnage among the United States, Great Britain, Japan, France, and Italy, ultimately reflecting the growing concerns over militarism and ultranationalism in the post-war era.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The treaty was born out of fears of an arms race in naval power after World War I, particularly between the United States and Japan.
2. It established a ratio of naval tonnage: 5 for the United States, 5 for Great Britain, 3 for Japan, and lower ratios for France and Italy.
3. The treaty included limits on the construction of capital ships like battleships and aircraft carriers but did not address smaller vessels or submarines.
4. The success of the Washington Naval Treaty led to further disarmament discussions in the following years, highlighting the international desire for stability after WWI.
5. While initially seen as a success, the treaty ultimately failed to prevent future militarism and tensions leading up to World War II.

Review Questions

• How did the Washington Naval Treaty reflect the international attitudes toward militarism and ultranationalism in the early 20th century?
  • The Washington Naval Treaty illustrated a collective effort by major world powers to curb militarism and ultranationalism that had escalated during World War I. By limiting naval armaments, the treaty represented a desire to promote peace and stability in an era marked by heightened nationalistic sentiments. The agreement sought to prevent another devastating arms race and reflected a cautious approach towards military expansion among participating nations.
• In what ways did the terms of the Washington Naval Treaty attempt to establish a balance of power at sea, and what challenges arose from these agreements?
  • The Washington Naval Treaty established specific ratios for battleship tonnage among major naval powers to create a balance of military strength at sea. By limiting naval construction, particularly capital ships, the treaty aimed to prevent any one nation from achieving dominance. However, challenges arose as nations like Japan felt their military capabilities were unfairly restricted, leading to dissatisfaction and subsequent withdrawal from disarmament talks in later years.
• Evaluate the long-term impacts of the Washington Naval Treaty on international relations and its role in setting the stage for future conflicts leading into World War II.
  • The Washington Naval Treaty had significant long-term impacts on international relations by temporarily easing tensions between major powers through agreed-upon limitations on naval armaments. However, its failure to fully address rising militarism and national interests eventually contributed to increased competition and conflict. As nations began to circumvent or ignore treaty limitations in favor of military buildup, particularly with Japan's expansionist policies, it set the stage for heightened tensions that ultimately contributed to the outbreak of World War II.

Related terms

Naval Disarmament: The reduction or elimination of naval forces and weapons, aimed at preventing militaristic expansion and fostering international peace.

Five-Power Treaty: A specific component of the Washington Naval Treaty that outlined the naval limits for the five participating nations, establishing a balance of power at sea.

Militarism:

The belief that a country should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests.