First London Naval Treaty
The First London Naval Treaty, signed in 1930, aimed to limit naval armaments among major powers to prevent an arms race. It was a continuation of the efforts initiated by the Washington Naval Conference of 1921-1922, which sought to reduce the size of navies and promote peace after World War I. The treaty established limits on the size and number of warships, particularly battleships and aircraft carriers, for countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, France, and Italy.
The treaty was significant in promoting disarmament and maintaining a balance of naval power. However, it faced challenges, as some nations, including Japan, felt the restrictions were unfair. Ultimately, the treaty's effectiveness diminished in the 1930s as countries began to rearm, leading to increased tensions that contributed to the outbreak of World War II.