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Here, the struggle for the oceans by the Western powers has never stopped. Almost every rise of power is inseparable from a large-scale naval battle. Some require decades of fierce fighting before they can become new powers. However, in the early 20th century, the Americans broke this world sailing with great power and established their own maritime power. They also avoided the danger of head-on battle with the most powerful China at that time.

At the end of the 19th century, the United States' strength expanded rapidly, caught up with the old imperialist France, and became the richest and most powerful industrial country in the world. However, the good times did not last long. Since the mistaken attack on the Philippines in 1898, the United States has

First, the Asian fleet was defeated by the Spanish hired fleet, then the western land was fiercely attacked by Spanish mercenaries, and then the Japanese, with half of the territory falling, the entire country suffered a great blow, and the total economic output also fell from the world's number one throne, and the glory was no longer there.

By the time of World War I, the United States mistakenly united with France and Russia, and lost the opportunity to form an alliance with China. As a result, the capital was conquered in a lightning raid in China. Although the invading Chinese Expeditionary Force could be eliminated through the national war, considering that this would cause all the United States to fall into war, even if it was a victory, it would be unworthy of the loss. It had to humiliately declare a conditional surrender, and its economic strength continued to be weakened.

The contract signed later was very unfavorable to the Americans. The West was entrusted by China for five years and then paid billions of dollars in compensation. The United States' strength continued to be weakened. It was no longer a first-class power. In this case, Theodore Roosevelt became the president of the United States. In his inaugural speech, he shouted:

"The United States is a great land country. This fact prompts us to do what we do when we interact with the rest of the world, which is a great nation of the United States... and now we need to work harder to restore our strength!"

In his first four years of his reign, the US economy developed rapidly, growing by 12% every year, thanks to the excellent national quality of the Americans and the rebound in industrial recovery. It is also attributed to the new economic policy of the United States. Under the protection of this high tariff, foreign investment was treated with superior national treatment. As a result, the total amount of foreign investment absorbed by the local area has exceeded China every year, becoming the world's largest invested country. In 1907, the US's total economic output accounted for 12% of the world's total economic output, and returned to the ranks of first-class powers.

As the former deputy director of the U.S. Navy, Roosevelt has always had a special liking for the Navy. After entering the White House, he was determined to improve the strength and international prestige of the United States by building the Navy. Roosevelt's first address to Congress after taking office emphasized:

"There are two choices in front of the United States: either to establish and maintain a strong navy; or to be behind and be in a secondary position." Afterwards, he almost talked about the principles and importance of developing the navy, and as long as it was a matter of the navy, he was enthusiastic about participating. Even if the navy holds funerals for officers, he personally inquired about it. He caught it to the end.

With Roosevelt's persistence and active efforts, 1908, these warships formed two powerful fleets: one was the Atlantic Fleet, mainly composed of battleships and some small warships. In terms of strength, the US Navy was only ranked behind the British Royal Navy and the German Navy at this time, ranking third in the world, and even stronger than China. The powerful US Navy laid a solid foundation for the later formation of the "Big White Fleet".

In 1902, because of the correct route, Japan's acquiesce of the Chinese emperor, the whole country occupied the western part of the United States eastward. Japan's expansion momentum in the above-mentioned areas seriously threatened the interests of the United States. It can be said that if Japan continues to occupy the western territory of the United States, the United States cannot become a country.

At this time, most of the main forces of the US Navy gathered in the Atlantic Ocean. The Panama Canal had not been opened and could not compete with Japan on the west coast. After a series of crushing defeats and losses of one million people, the army was no longer expected and fought against three million Japanese troops on land. Therefore, Roosevelt, who had always been bold and bold, had to adopt a policy of concession to avoid open conflicts with Japan on the mainland.

However, as the confrontation between the United States and Japan formed in the Pacific region, hostility between the two sides became increasingly serious. What really made the United States worried was its attitude. The five-year period was about to end. If all the residents of the western region voted, they would definitely be independent. What does China want to do? Will it support the independence of the United States in the western region?

Faced with China, Roosevelt has always been worried about whether to start a war. If he attacked China rashly, would the navy he had worked hard to repeat the same mistakes? It was tragically annihilated by the Chinese navy after circling half of the earth.

How can we find a way to achieve the best of both worlds, both to strong Chinese strength and to avoid war? After thinking about it, Roosevelt finally decided:

Send a huge fleet to travel around the world to show China and other countries the strong strength of the US Navy.

A year later, a fleet consisted of 16 elite battleships of the US Navy and 7 small lightning strike ships (the predecessor of the destroyer). The [u|. The fleet was more conspicuous. Roosevelt specifically ordered all ships to be painted in gorgeous and festive white, which the world called the "Big White Fleet".

On December 16, 1907, the "Great White Fleet" set sail from Hampton Naval Base in Virginia. President Roosevelt personally led all the civil and military officials to see him off. In the winter sun in Chesapeake Bay, 16 majestic battleships sailed over the motorboat Roosevelt was riding in turn. The salutes of each ship were sing and the national anthem was playing. The mighty honor guards on the ship lined up to salute the president. The scene was very spectacular. Looking at the powerful fleet in front of him, Roosevelt waved his top hat and greeted Major General Evans, the commander of the fleet beside him excitedly said: "Have you ever seen such a fleet, and have you ever thought of such a moving day!"

Since the Panama Canal had not yet been opened, the "Great White Fleet" set out in a mighty manner and went east along the Atlantic Ocean, visiting Britain, Germany, and then the Mediterranean. The huge scale of the "Great White Fleet" shocked the Mediterranean coastal countries, especially Italy, the traditional naval powerhouse. Even the British, who had the strongest maritime power, were shocked by this scene when they saw the slowly approaching "Great White Fleet".

British Navy Secretary Lance Dorn said with concern at the time: "The British should understand... If the Americans chose this path, they could easily build a navy. Although it was not as large as our navy, it was not as large as the German fleet, but it was far more than other countries, and it was stronger than any country in terms of flexibility. Although our country and Germany had far exceeded the (Great White Fleet), in the foreseeable future, the only function of our two super fleets was to keep a close eye on each other."

Later facts proved that this situation was unfortunately explained by him. However, he only guessed the beginning, but did not guess the end. Although the United States had the largest flexibly used battleship fleet, it was eventually defeated by the Chinese fleet. This was not only the end of an era, but also the beginning of a new era.

During their stay in Europe, the US envoy negotiated with Britain and Germany to discuss how to restore the integrity of the United States. After feeling the strength of the United States, Germany and Britain became enthusiastic and tried their best to win over this powerful friend. They knew very well that a strong supporter like the United States means. In order to please the United States, Britain and Germany have expressed their support to the just actions of the United States to restore sovereignty and territorial integrity, and actively assumed the responsibility of persuading China.

After passing the Suez Canal, we finally arrived at the Middle East Peninsula. The "Black White Fleet" rested in the Middle East for two months, and then set off from here to visit India, Singapore and the Philippines. On October 18, after nearly a year of long journeys, the one stop was the first—Lushun Port, China.

Major General Robbie Evans, the commander of the Great White Fleet, stood on the bridge of the flagship and proudly looked for his own fleet. The 8 South Carolina-class battleships, 8 Florida-class battleships, the president had great expectations for the navy, so the United States could not form the most powerful fleet in American history--16 battleships and 8 lightning-striking ships--the Great White Fleet with 8 lightning strike ships.

It can be said that the Major General went to China with a desire to show his might, hoping that by showing his strong strength, the equally powerful Chinese Navy would realize that the US Navy is also awe-inspiring.

Before arriving in Lushun, Robbie Evans led a fleet to visit Shanghai. The prosperous Shanghai was holding a World Expo, and the exhibits at the expo shocked the Major General. Of course, in the mind of the Major General, this was the industrial strength gained by the Chinese robbers who moved the American West.

However, the construction of the Shanghai Tower has truly given the Major General a warning, not the early warning effect of the Shanghai Tower. Although the 40 nautical miles of warning range is very large, it is the early warning effect of thick fog and rainy tower. The tower shows that China, an ancient country, has truly abandoned some things and embarked on the road of industrialization, which is what the Major General is most worried about.
Chapter completed!