The naval race between Germany and Great Britain between 1906 and 1914 created huge friction between both nations and it is seen as one of the causes of World War One. In 1906, Britain launched the first dreadnought – a ship that meant all others were redundant before its awesome fire power.
HMS Dreadnought: 17,900 tons; 526 feet in length; ten 12 inch guns, eighteen 4 inch guns, five torpedo tubes; maximum belt armour 11 inches; top speed 21.6 knots.
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HMS Dreadnought |
Germany had to respond and a race began.
| Dreadnoughts | Great Britain | Germany |
| 1906 | 1 | 0 |
| 1907 | 3 | 0 |
| 1908 | 2 | 4 |
| 1909 | 2 | 3 |
| 1910 | 3 | 1 |
| 1911 | 5 | 3 |
| 1912 | 3 | 2 |
| 1913 | 7 | 3 |
| 1914 | 3 | 1 |
| Total | 29 | 17 |
| Dreadnought battle-cruisers |
Great Britain | Germany |
| 1906 | 0 | 0 |
| 1907 | 3 | 0 |
| 1908 | 0 | 0 |
| 1909 | 1 | 0 |
| 1910 | 1 | 2 |
| 1911 | 2 | 1 |
| 1912 | 1 | 2 |
| 1913 | 1 | 2 |
| 1914 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 9 | 7 |
Great Britain by 1914 had 38 dreadnoughts and dreadnought battle cruisers
Germany by 1914 had 24 dreadnoughts and dreadnought battle cruisers