Summary
Warren G. Harding's "Address on the Washington Naval Conference (1921)" asserts that international naval arms limitation is essential for global peace and economic stability, arguing that it directly addresses the dangers of a competitive naval arms race that could precipitate future conflict. The address proposes specific tonnage limitations for capital ships and a moratorium on new construction for a ten-year period, framing these as practical and achievable steps toward preventing war. Harding emphasizes the mutual benefits of this disarmament, suggesting it will free up national resources for domestic prosperity and foster a new era of international cooperation and amity.
The address outlines the conference's goals: to prevent an escalating naval arms race, particularly between the United States, Great Britain, and Japan, and to establish a framework for maintaining peace in the Pacific region. Readers gain an understanding of the geopolitical anxieties of the post-World War I era, the strategic rationale behind naval limitations, and the diplomatic challenges involved in achieving such agreements. It highlights Harding's vision of a more stable world order achieved through negotiated disarmament.
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Key concepts
- Naval Arms Limitation — The treaty-bound restriction of naval armament, specifically capital ship tonnage.
- Capital Ships — Large warships, primarily battleships and aircraft carriers, targeted for limitation by the conference.
- Ten-Year Moratorium — A proposed halt in the construction of new capital ships for a decade.
- Pacific Stability — The goal of ensuring peace and preventing conflict in the Pacific Ocean region.