All of the following factors contributed to growing tensions between Germany and Great Britain beginning ca. 1900-leading to an arms race that included construction of large modern warships—EXCEPT
A. Strategies from both nations were convinced large navies were necessary to protect merchant shipping and secure trade routes with colonies and other trading partners
B. Great Britain had produced 32 percent of the world's manufactured gods in 1870, but by 1914 it only produced 14 percent, roughly the same as Germany, and the British feared their industrial prominence was threatened
C. International tensions increased as both governments spent huge sums to acquire the most modern naval technology
D. The conclusion of an alliance between the French and German governments made British leaders concerned that their positions as a world power was eroding