Sea Power and Maritime Affairs Lesson 5.8: The U.S. Navy and World War I,

Enabling Objectives DESCRIBEDESCRIBE the European political and alliance state of affairs leading to WW I. DESCRIBE German and British major sea and land operational strategies for winning WW I.DESCRIBE German and British major sea and land operational strategies for winning WW I. DESCRIBE events leading to the entry of the United States into World War I.DESCRIBE events leading to the entry of the United States into World War I. SUMMARIZE U.S. strategy and diplomacy in World War I.SUMMARIZE U.S. strategy and diplomacy in World War I. EXPLAIN the effect of the events of World War I on Mahanian Theory.EXPLAIN the effect of the events of World War I on Mahanian Theory. RECOGNIZE contributions of the U.S. Navy during World War I.RECOGNIZE contributions of the U.S. Navy during World War I.

The U.S. Navy and WW I: Triple AllianceTriple Alliance –Germany, Austria- Hungary, Italy Triple EntenteTriple Entente –Britain, France, Russia Russia Mutual Defense PactsMutual Defense Pacts –Germany/Austria –Russia/Serbia –Britain/Russia The Schlieffen PlanThe Schlieffen Plan

The Spark July 1914: Heir to the Austrian throne Archduke Ferdinand assassinatedJuly 1914: Heir to the Austrian throne Archduke Ferdinand assassinated July 28: Austria declares war on SerbiaJuly 28: Austria declares war on Serbia July-August: Serbia/Russia mobilize against AustriaJuly-August: Serbia/Russia mobilize against Austria

British Royal Navy- Strategy Goal: Destroy High Seas Fleet in a large engagement.Goal: Destroy High Seas Fleet in a large engagement. Strategy:Strategy: –Sea-lift British Army to France. –Distant blockade of Germany. –Avoid German mines and torpedo boats near the coast

Gallipoli Campaign German-led Ottoman Turk FleetGerman-led Ottoman Turk Fleet – Closes Dardanelles - Entrance to the Black Sea. – Allied line of communication with Russia is cut. Winston Churchill:Winston Churchill: – Advocate of amphibious assault on Gallipoli Peninsula. – Objective: Constantinople to open supply route to Russia through the Black Sea. Admiral Sir John FisherAdmiral Sir John Fisher –First Sea Lord resigns in protest. DardanellesDardanelles – Mines in sea lanes. – Guns emplaced on shore covering the straits manned by the Ottoman Turk Army.

Gallipoli Campaign

The German Imperial Navy Goal:Goal: – Defeat portions of the British Grand Fleet in small engagements Strategy:Strategy: – Numerically inferior to the British Grand Fleet –Maintain a “Fleet in Being”- potentially threatens Allied operations by its mere presence in port

Stalemate (1915) Land forces deadlocked on Western Front(1915) Land forces deadlocked on Western Front Germany’s solution: Raid Britain’s oceanic supply linesGermany’s solution: Raid Britain’s oceanic supply lines

Battle of Jutland 31 May – 1 June May – 1 June 1916 Largest naval battle to date ends in a tactical draw.Largest naval battle to date ends in a tactical draw. – Only large fleet action of the war. – Last great battle between battleship fleets. – Jellicoe fails to win a victory. Afraid of stern chase over mines/submarines. Afraid of stern chase over mines/submarines. Turned away from torpedoes. Turned away from torpedoes. Would not risk fighting at night. Would not risk fighting at night. –Minor strategic importance to the outcome of the war. Tactical lesson: Speed and long-range gunfire outstripped the commander's means of observation and control of forces.Tactical lesson: Speed and long-range gunfire outstripped the commander's means of observation and control of forces.

Battle of Jutland

12 War Against Shipping Unrestricted Sub Warfare –Indiscriminate attack of enemy commerce with subs. –By Germany was losing the war and U-Boats were the only weapon not yet fully utilized. –Germany plans to knock out Britain before US aid can be mobilized –The Campaign ALMOST worked…

Wilson reluctantly declares war on 6 April 1917.Wilson reluctantly declares war on 6 April Rear Admiral William Sims.Rear Admiral William Sims. Integrated into convoy system Integrated into convoy system – merchants and 6-8 destroyers –Change from “hunt-and-kill” patrols to a convoy system. U.S. Navy Contributions to WWI

SubmarinesSubmarines – Germany lost 187 U-boats, however: Sank 5,234 merchant ships Sank 5,234 merchant ships Sank 10 battleships, 20 destroyers, and 9 submarines Sank 10 battleships, 20 destroyers, and 9 submarines –Allied & Neutral Ships Lost: ,439 1,035 AviationAviation – Anti-submarine warfare – Early attempts at power projection – Strikes on German naval bases U.S. Navy Contributions to WWI

End of the War (1918) U.S. Navy transported over 2 million ground troops.U.S. Navy transported over 2 million ground troops. US advocated convoy system defeats U-boat threat.US advocated convoy system defeats U-boat threat. Kaiser Wilhelm abdicates throne.Kaiser Wilhelm abdicates throne. 11 November war ends on “Armistice Day”.11 November war ends on “Armistice Day”. –Now celebrated as Veterans’ Day in the U.S.

Effect of World War I on Mahanian Theory Support in two areas:Support in two areas: – Commercial antagonism and rivalry cause war. – Faith in the battle fleet for command of the sea. Unrestricted Submarine Warfare's implications ignored.Unrestricted Submarine Warfare's implications ignored. –Commerce raiding can affect the course of the war. – Importance of convoy system to protect against submarine attacks.

Battle History Video Chapter 2 “Fire and Water”Chapter 2 “Fire and Water” -Time 00:00- 04:00.

Enabling Objectives DESCRIBEDESCRIBE the European political and alliance state of affairs leading to WW I. DESCRIBE German and British major sea and land operational strategies for winning WW I.DESCRIBE German and British major sea and land operational strategies for winning WW I. DESCRIBE events leading to the entry of the United States into World War I.DESCRIBE events leading to the entry of the United States into World War I. SUMMARIZE U.S. strategy and diplomacy in World War I.SUMMARIZE U.S. strategy and diplomacy in World War I. EXPLAIN the effect of the events of World War I on Mahanian Theory.EXPLAIN the effect of the events of World War I on Mahanian Theory. RECOGNIZE contributions of the U.S. Navy during World War I.RECOGNIZE contributions of the U.S. Navy during World War I.

Discussion… Questions?