n the two Powers might have caused such tension. In the nineteenth and beginning of the twentieth century, both industrial and democratic revolution dominated the power map of the world. Britain was the largest empire in the world at the time. Her advanced technology enabled her to have remained the premier of European Powers for a long time. Although, in the late nineteenth century Europe saw Germany's sustained economic growth backed by her own version of successful industrial revolution. "Germany", in Bismarck's words, was "saturated" with advantage in population, Geographical position, and army and industrial strength. Under Wilhelmine dynasty she took off into the slot of the leading continental nation. At this point Britain had seen Germany's sustained expansion as a threat, and there began international competition between Germany and Britain. By 1914 Germany had become Europe's industrial superpower. She had caught up with, and in some areas already exceeded, Britain's level in terms of production. The most competitive aspect of this rivalry could be seen in their naval expansion. Britain always had been proud of her world-largest navy. The navy was made bigger and stronger than any other powers by far. This was because the British thought having effective sea power crucial to protect their empire and to maintain the sea routes between the different colonies. According to Robert Wolfson and John Laver, Britain had thirty-three battleships and one hundred- thirty cruisers in 1896, while Germany had only six battleships and four cruisers in the same year. Then so-called the Navy Laws were passed in Germany in attempt to provide more warships and men-power, and to maintain ports. Admiral Tirpitz, the secretary to the navy and chief of the German Admiralty, operated this plan and was responsible for naval construction. "The first Navy Law (1897) proposed the building of seven battleships and nine cruisers before 1904.... A seco...
