What did Britain believe about German rearmament when they agreed to the Anglo-German Naval Agreement?

Britain's agreement to the Anglo-German Naval Agreement in 1935 reflected a belief that German rearmament was unavoidable despite any opposition from other nations or concerns regarding its implications. At this point in history, Britain was focused on containing the growing power of Germany and believed that by limiting the size of the German Navy, they could create a balance of power in Europe. The agreement allowed Germany to expand its naval forces within certain limitations, signaling that Britain accepted the reality of German rearmament rather than outright opposing it.

The broader context of the time included Britain's desire to avoid another war, especially after the devastation of World War I. Thus, rather than viewing German rearmament as fundamentally illegal or entirely politically motivated by another nation, Britain tried to manage the situation through negotiation. The idea was that by permitting some level of rearmament, Britain could potentially keep Germany more focused on naval development under controlled conditions rather than facing unrestricted militarization.

This approach was rooted in the belief that managing and regulating Germany's military ambitions could maintain stability in Europe, ultimately leading to greater security rather than escalating tensions.