If the world war that erupted in 1914 shattered the global economic order and destroyed the European continent, then 1913 was the last carnival feast before the end!
Without a doubt, the theme of 1913 was still the arms race. While the Entente was still weighing what its finances could bear, the Alliance had already gone mad!
Germany's fiscal deficit had even surpassed its revenue, leaving Ferdinand trembling with fear. Austria-Hungary and Italy were no better, their deficits breaking historical records one after another.
Well, the Entente was not much better either. Bulgaria's fiscal deficit alone had reached fifty percent of its revenue. At this point, it was no longer a matter of considering what the treasury could endure.
After investment regardless of cost, every nation's military strength had risen by leaps and bounds. The Germans had laid down six battleships and four battlecruisers in one stroke, while the British answered blow for blow by laying down eight battleships and six battlecruisers.
Oh, now even the British had failed to hold to the 3:2 ratio. It was clear that the Germans had gone mad, while the British threshold kept sinking lower and lower.
Close behind, the French laid down four battleships and six battlecruisers in one go. What could they do? The French had simply reacted too slowly.
When the Dreadnought era arrived, France had failed to keep pace from the start. It was only in 1912 that the French began construction on two Dreadnoughts. Facing the aggressive Italian Navy, they had no choice but to work hard if they wanted to hold the Mediterranean Sea!
However, the Italians were remarkably tough this time. Perhaps it was an aftereffect of Ferdinand's butterfly effect: Britain and France had not offered a price that satisfied them, and Italy seemed determined to follow