Anglo-German Naval Rivalry Germany had a Kaiser called Wilhelm II that was very ambitious for Germany. He wanted Germany to be the most powerful empire in Europe in industrial and military terms. He announced his intension to build a powerful navy which Britain considered as a threat to the security and stability of its growing empire. Germany's Kaiser Wilhelm II claimed that his intention to build a powerful navy is to protect Germany's growing trade. Yet, Britain didn't believe that and responded by announcing the build-up of powerful warships called HMS Dreadnought. Germany also responded by building its own Dreadnought which increased the tension between the two nations.