This role, the physical incarnation of Britain's imperial might, was developed through the 1920's and 30's as the Hood 'showed the flag' in numerous regions around the world; two events are of especial note. The Washington Treaty increased the perceived importance of the Hood: Britain and the US may have had equal numbers of capital ships, but 'Britannia' perceived the Hood as being better than any American craft, a fact which was seized upon and used to bolster the Hood's glory. Indeed, the naval rivalry - others may prefer hostility - which existed between Britain and the US makes an interesting comparison with the Anglo-German naval competition of the early 1900's.
The second key event was the World Cruise. A desire to show off the Hood around the world - prompted partly by a perceived need to remind the Americans who ruled the waves - whilst also 'thanking' Commonwealth countries for their aid in the Great War led to the World Cruise, a 40,000 mile tour round the Empire. Between November 1923 and September 1924 the Hood stopped at numerous ports, entertained over 750,000 visitors and imprinted herself firmly in the world's consciousness; she even stopped briefly in the US.
By 1939 the Hood was known throughout the British Empire and Commonwealth as their inviolate protector, the single biggest symbol of Britannic and imperial might and the number one threat in enemy wargames (at least for Germany). However, despite playing a role in several conflicts, including blockades in the Spanish Civil War, the Hood had never taken part in a battle. With no tradition of kills or combat, her reputation was built on symbolism and latent power. In addition, "she had spent so much time showing the flag that there never seemed to be an opportunity for the total overhaul and refurbishing that was so badly needed." (Len Deighton, quoted from S. Dunmore, In Great Waters, p. 90) This would cost her greatly in 1941.
