The Washington Naval Treaty, formally known as the Treaty for the Limitation of Naval Armament, was an agreement reached at the Washington Naval Conference. This historic treaty aimed to prevent a naval arms race after the devastation of World War I. Delegates from the United States, Great Britain, Japan, France, and Italy met in Washington D.C. from November 1921 to February 1922, resulting in this landmark agreement. The treaty established limits on the number and type of warships each nation could maintain, including capital ships, aircraft carriers, cruisers, and destroyers. It sought equilibrium among the naval powers to enhance global stability and prevent conflict over maritime dominance. One of the most intriguing aspects of the Washington Naval Treaty was its strict ratio of naval tonnage designated for the signatory countries: the United States and Great Britain were allowed 5, Japan 3, and France and Italy were each given 1.75. This division represented a significant concession to Japan, acknowledging its rising naval power in the Pacific. Additionally, the treaty imposed a freeze on the construction of new warships and stipulated the scrapping of existing vessels exceeding the limitations. The agreement also encouraged diplomatic discussions on disarmament, showcasing an innovative approach to conflict resolution in the early 20th century. Despite its initial success, the Washington Naval Treaty ultimately faced challenges as geopolitical tensions escalated in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Countries began to feel constrained by the limitations, leading to the eventual collapse of the treaty framework and a resurgence in naval armament as nations sought to bolster their military capabilities ahead of World War II. However, the treaty is often considered a pioneering step towards disarmament and collaborative international policy.