Abstract
Historians have portrayed the Anglo-American naval partnership during the Great War as a fleeting oddity. It began under the pressure of the German submarine campaign, endured through to victory, and rapidly collapsed. Even in 1917-1918, that relationship was dominated by rivalry. The natural product was the so-called ‘naval battle of Paris’ in 1919. In fact, this thesis demonstrates that between 1917-1919, the maritime relationship between these states always was characterised by co-operation and compromise, tempered by rivalry. This partnership was driven by the mutual aim of defeating Germany, and spurred by the exigencies of war. When that goal was accomplished, both Britain and the United States recognised in the other a useful partner in constructing a liberal post-war order. Consequently they worked together, postponing discussions over their naval differences so not to obstruct the Treaty of Versailles and the creation of a League of Nations. The failure of the peace caused naval rivalry, not the other way around.
