The construction of warships by Spain and Italy did not trigger a naval arms race in Europe, but when the French also announced a high-profile plan to build six ironclads within the next five years, a small-scale naval arms race in Europe erupted.
The reason for the outbreak of the naval arms race was simple: the French's high-profile naval expansion aroused the apprehension of other countries.
Perhaps even France did not expect that their move, originally intended to counter the alliance of Spain and Italy in the Mediterranean region, would instead draw the attention of the United Kingdom and Germany in the North Sea region.
With the world's second fleet, France's grand expansion of its navy was seen as a clear challenge to the United Kingdom's naval supremacy.
The British did not hold back at all; a few days after France announced its shipbuilding plan, they announced their own.
