What did world leaders use to limit international construction of warships?

World leaders used a series of international treaties and agreements to limit the construction of warships, most notably the Washington Naval Treaty of 1922. This treaty aimed to prevent an arms race by establishing limits on the size and number of battleships and aircraft carriers among major naval powers. Subsequent agreements, like the London Naval Treaties, sought to extend and refine these limitations. Such efforts were part of broader attempts to promote disarmament and maintain peace in the interwar period.