1. The Washington Conference What it was and why it was organized

2. Background (why) USA, Japan, UK involved in post war naval arms race USA wanted to challenge UK navy, UK wanted to keep dominance, Japan wanted to defend new empire Conference called because countries could not afford race, and tensions needed to be reduced between USA and Japan who were both suspicious of eachother's aims in the far east Japan expanding empire, threatened US trade in the region Tensions worried UK who had defensive agreement with Japan (didn't want another war) Tensions between nations major reason for conference

3. The terms (what) Conference organized by US to be held in Washington Powers agreed to limit size of their fleets No new ships to be constructed for ten years Limited construction of bases in pacific (gave Japan dominance there) Four Power Agreement internal defense agreement between US, Japan, UK, and France. Guaranteed rights of all nations' territories in Asia and agreed to defend eachother from an external attacker Nine Power Agreement allowed free trade in China (until Japanese invasion of Manchuria 1931)