Anglo-German Naval Agreement

The United Kingdom and Germany signed a bilateral naval agreement on June 18, 1935. It allowed the German navy (Kriegsmarine) to expand beyond the limits imposed by the Treaty of Versailles (1919). Signed after World War I, the Treaty of Versailles had tightly controlled the size of the German military. 

Under the Anglo-German Naval Agreement, the German navy was able to grow as long as it did not exceed 35% of the size of the British Royal Navy. The British hoped to prevent an arms race with Germany by allowing for some military growth, while still ensuring British naval superiority. However, the agreement was controversial. Britain had permitted Germany to violate the Treaty of Versailles without consulting any of the other signatories.