How did Germany's competition to build up its navy put them into an arms race with Great Britain during World War 1?

Answer 1

Negotiations for an alliance between Britain and Germany broke down in 1897, mainly because Britain wanted Germany only as a junior partner. Soon afterwards, Germany embarked on a huge naval building campaign. As Germany had only a small overseas empire at the time analysts in Britain concluded that the programme was directed against Britain. The result was a naval arms race - and much resentment. In WW1, however, Germany made very little use of its surface ships as it feared they would be sunk by the British navy. However, German submarines proved relatively successful and at one point in WW1 (1916) food stocks in Britain were down to about six weeks' supply. (At the time Britain produced only about 40% of its own food and the rest had to be imported).