One significant effect of unrestricted German submarine attacks on shipping during World War I was the escalation of tensions between Germany and neutral countries, particularly the United States. These attacks led to the sinking of civilian and merchant ships, including the Lusitania in 1915, resulting in loss of American lives and increasing public outrage. Consequently, the U.S. was drawn closer to entering the war on the side of the Allies, significantly impacting the conflict's outcome.
The renewal of unrestricted German submarine warfare had devastating effects on shipping in 1917. In terms of tonnage, the Germans sank 540,000 tons in February 1917, 578,000 in March and 874,000 tons in April. Anti-submarine measures by the Allies, however, began to reduce this calamity.
Germany practiced unrestricted submarine warfare.
The German policy of unrestricted submarine warfare against shipping. This led to the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915. Great Britain and France were major trading partners.
The Sussex Pledge
unrestricted submarine warfare
The Sussex Pledge
This policy was called unrestricted submarine warfare
on feb 1 1917 German government decided to begin submarine warfare unrestricted
Unrestricted submarine warfare (in the Atlantic).
In 1917, the German U-boat fleet reached its peak strength, with approximately 300 U-boats in service. This included both operational submarines and those undergoing repairs or construction. The high number of U-boats was part of Germany's strategy to disrupt Allied shipping during World War I through unrestricted submarine warfare.
In WW1, the German policy of unrestricted submarine warfare irritated neutral nations such as the United States and eventually helped public opinion to support the US entry into the war. In WW2 the German policy of unrestricted submarine warfare in the Atlantic irritated nominally neutral nations such as the United States and provided a rationale for increasing US support of Britain and its allies. In WW2 the American policy of unrestricted submarine warfare in the Pacific probably contributed to the degradation of Japanese economic capabilities as the war progressed.
The German threat of unrestricted submarine warfare placed US shipping, crews and passengers at risk. Commerce was threatened and that could not be tolerated.We were mad at Germany for a number of hostile actions, and president Wilson wanted to protect economic interest in England