The Imperial German Navy was the naval force of the German Empire from 1871 until the end of World War I in 1918. It was established to protect Germany's maritime interests and to compete with other major naval powers, particularly the Royal Navy of Great Britain. The navy included battleships, cruisers, and submarines, and it played a significant role in naval warfare during the war. The navy's development was influenced by figures like Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz, who advocated for a strong fleet to assert Germany's power. Despite its initial successes, the navy faced challenges, including limited resources and strategic miscalculations, ultimately leading to its decline after the war and the Treaty of Versailles.