American Neutrality

Early in the war America remained neutral. Neutral means we were not on either side in the conflict. Being neutral we could supply both the Allied and Central powers. 1,2

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare This strategy was risky. Because we supplied it’s enemies Germany engaged in a policy known as unrestricted submarine warfare. Unrestricted submarine warfare meant that Germany would attack any ships bound for enemy countries. Germany hoped it’s U-boats would disrupt allied shipping. 3

For the span of WWI, from 1914-1918, 274 German U-boats sank 6,596 ships. The five most successful U-boats were U-35 (sank 224 ships), U-39 (154 ships), U-38 (137 ships), U-34 (121 ships), and U-33 (84 ships). Most of these were sunk near the coast, particularly in the English Channel

Allied U-boat Defense German U-boats were causing heavy losses on Allied shipping so ships began using the convoy system. In the convoy system ships travel in large groups protected by destroyers. Great Britain also set up the North Sea mine field. 180 miles long 70,000 mines 4,5