19世纪末20世纪初，主要资本主义强国相继向帝国主义过渡，列强实力急速变化，海权便是实力变化的直接体现。1890年左右，“海军联盟”（Navy League）亦称“海军协会”在西方列强中广泛兴起。它不同于政府组织，在大部分国家是以关注和研究海军的民间组织形式出现的。在英、德、美三国，“海军联盟”的组织形式以及职能都不大相同，对本国海洋传统的构建与延续也发挥了不同的作用。这些因素在很大程度上导致了三者的不同命运。

At the end of 19th century and the beginning of 20th century, major capitalist powers have changed into imperialism, the strength of powers changed rapidly, and the sea power reflected these changes directly. In about 1890, Navy Leagues were widely rise in Western great powers, which differ from governmental organizations, in most countries it looks like a civil organization calling for attention and studying Navy. The Navy Leagues in the Great Britain, Germany and U.S. have different forms of organization and functions, also playing different roles in the construction and continuation of national maritime traditions. These factors, to a large extent, led to different fates of the three Navy Leagues.