What was Woodrow Wilson's reaction to German submarine warfare campaign?

Answer 1

When the Germans, declared unrestricted submarine warfare, the US issued a sharp protest to this policy, saying that it was an indefensible violation of neutral rights, and threatened to hold Germany accountable. After many German offenses in the seas, Wilson threatened to break off diplomatic relations with Germany unless it abandoned its methods of submarine warfare. Wilson won a temporary victory when the Germans said that they would visit all vessels prior to attack. However, this crisis prompted Wilson to begin preparing for war (preparedness campaign). Finally when the Germans decided to declared unlimited submarine warfare on all shipping in 1917, it was impossible for Wilson to maintain US neutrality and the freedom of the seas. Thus, Wilson broke off all diplomatic relations with Germany and called on Congress to approve the arming of US merchant ships.