III.

History

The Royal Navy grew from Britain’s need to develop and to protect its commerce with other countries. Until the 20th century, the only way for Britain to trade with other nations was by sea (see British Foreign Policy Since 1800). Sources of raw materials and essential commodities were sought, which led to Britain acquiring a colonial empire. This too had to be protected.

When the war with Spain ended with the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, this victory and subsequent maritime engagements with the Netherlands in the 17th century, and America in the 18th century, honed the Royal Navy’s skill at warfare and enabled the British fleet under Admiral Horatio Nelson to defeat the French Navy at Trafalgar in 1805. The 19th century saw the change from wooden to steel ships and the transition from sail to steam. It also saw the beginning of what became known as “gunboat diplomacy”, by which Britain could exert its considerable nautical power.

In the early years of the 20th century a naval arms race with Germany resulted in Britain developing the Dreadnought, an even larger and more heavily armed type of battleship.